PN Leader Simon Busuttil, speaking about the proposed regulations for the PN leadership election, said that they would allow the decision to be in the hands of the many, and not in the hands of the few.
He was being interviewed on Net TV.
"The General Council will be called tomorrow to approve the regulations that will organise the election for a new PN Leader. We will approve a new procedure. For the first time we can choose a new leader where, instead of only having the internal people elect a leader, all register members can vote."
"This most important decision for the PN will be in the hands of many not in the hands of the few. This means the party is opening up and is truly the part of the people. The General Council was called to approve these regulations."
The process will take place over two levels, Busuttil said. "Firstly we need to see how many nominations for leadership there are. Those names go before the General Council, that is made up of around 1,500 councillors. These councillors will then pick two of the candidates through an election. Those two will then be put forward to all registered members, and they will vote. The winner will be leader. This is how we propose the election takes place, so that it will be organised, fair and transparent, while leaving the last word in the hands of the registered members."
Turning to the finances of the party, he said that despite losing the general elections, "everyone says we used our funds well, that we were well organised over the past years and that the party has regained its footing. That came about as over the past four years we worked hard to help the party stand on its own two feet again."
He said that while ne can never say the party's finances are great, " Today we are in a situation where, financially, the party well organised and is a situation that the party has full control over the finances."
He said the campaign was short. "It cost €1.3 million. But we got all the funds for this campaign, and did not make a single euro debt during it the campaign. Looking at the party's finances over the years, we restructured our old debts and we are, over 15 years, making payments each month which will allow us to cut out the debt over the years. "
"The new leadership that will be elected will find a working engine, and they would only need to run the engine and take it in the direction they would want."
Turning to same-sex marriage, he said he is conscious that not everyone in the PN agrees with this decision to vote in favour, and described the situation as sensitive. "One must face the realities of today's society," He said the LGBTIQ community deserve these rights. "In 2014, PL passed civil unions bill, which gave the same rights as marriage. Its like bringing in marriage but not calling it that. When one goes to civil unions of persons of same sex it's a normal wedding. You don't say went to civil union. It is a celebration of love."
"I have two sons, if one of them told me 'I'm gay and have a boyfriend,' what do I tell him? That he doesn't have a right to marry? These are sensitive decisions, but are decisions the PN must face through an understanding of how society has developed. It was also in our electoral programme. These are some of the reasons we will vote in favour of gay marriage. "