Education Minister Evarist Bartolo this morning said that he is not interested in the race for the post of Labour Party deputy leader, while Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis said he will decide in the next few days.

Mr Bartolo used his Facebook page to announce that he will not be contesting, and that his aim is to continue to serve in the responsibilities that he has been given.

Mr Bartolo had contested for the post of leader of the PL in 2008.

In his post, Mr Bartolo also sends a clear message to the party, saying that it should be the delegates who decide. It is a clear reference to the last election for the deputy leadership, when it was evident that Konrad Mizzi had been the preferred man for PM Joseph Muscat. The PM's choice had pushed others who had an interest in the position to keep back, little knowing that they would have got a second opportunity so quickly.

In comments to the media, Dr Zammit Lewis said that he will be deciding on whether to contest in the coming days. He said that the election process is still to start and right now he is concentrating on his ministerial duties, most notably the negotisations involving the sale of 49% os Air Malta to Alitalia.

Mr Bartolo and Dr Zammit Lewis were  being named as a possible contender for the post after the resignation of Konrad Mizzi just two months after the PL statute was change to make it possible for him to be elected. Mr Mizzi resigned in the wake of public outcry following revelations he has a company in Panama, and has also been relieved of his duties as energy and health minister but remains as minister without portfolio in the OPM.

On Friday, Economy Minister Chris Cardona was the first to announce his intention to contest, with other ministers like Edward Zammit Lewis and Owen Bonnici also likely to show an interest.