Partit Demokratiku MP Godfrey Farrugia says today that he is not interested in the race for the party leadership.

Writing on Facebook, Farrugia says that “at this stage , I am not interested in contesting the Leadership of this party, not least because we have capable others willing and able to take on that responsibility while I consolidate PD presence in the highest institution in the land.”

His life partner Marlene Farrugia, currently PD leader and only other PD MP, last Saturday said she will not contest the leadership election at the next annual general meeting in October.

Anthony Buttigieg, who was deputy leader and resigned after Marlene Farrugia did not rule out contesting for the Nationalist Party leadership, said he will be contesting the post of leader.

This is Godfrey Farrugia's full post:

Standing up for Peace of Mind for all

A life in politics is not easy.

At least, it isn't easy for me .

The demands of the constituency, preparation for parliamentary sittings and debates, as well as combatting a steamrolling media platform controlling government with my very limited resources , is a challenge if ever there was one.

Family and friends repeatedly ask me the same question. 
'You are being hung , drawn and quartered by your opponents. Your colleagues , incensed by your resilience , occasionally , knowingly or unknowingly , shamelessly join in the bloodbath.

Don't you feel the pain? Is it worth it?
Why do you do it? 
What fires your unflinching enthusiasm? 
Where is this mysterious gorge from which your motivation flows unabated?

And I meet these questions and many others with the same simple answer.

I love this miniscule group of rocks jutting out from the heart of the Mediterranean Sea.

Malta, Gozo, Comino and their rocklets are my home. 
They are home to my ancestors whose legacy we now live , and Im hoping against hope that they will be home to my children and grandchildren, whose lives will, in turn depend on the legacy we are currently knitting , weaving , casting and welding for them.

I want my grandchildren, your grandchildren , to have the opportunities I have had in my own country. 
Simple beautiful things that matter like living a healthy life in a clean and balanced environment, having a good job that pays, a level playing field to succeed through hard work and perseverance.

Striving for the basic most important things in life , like the opportunity to live in dignity no matter who and what you are , or what stage of your life you're in, is important to me.

All this and much more is a challenge I cannot ignore, simply because I have been brought up totally bereft of the faculty to even contemplate to shirk my responsibility for standing up for peace of mind, for standing up for what is right .

In the last few months we have witnessed a meltdown of political standards.

The government riding high on a frenzy of gorging on the country's assets. The construction industry blazing forward like a lost asteroid fizzing straight into the next black hole. Government officials under criminal investigation, barging on with the country's most lucrative projects, disappearing whistle blowers , and a parliamentary agenda now hellbent on appeasing the pimping mentality further by the normalisation of increased objectification of women, while hypocritically bemoaning the occasional ruptured spleen that makes it to hospital in time.

As for the PN opposition. 
Nerik Mizzi must be so tired of turning and turning again, in his grave.

Still, I do believe in miracles if we work for them, and I believe that as a people , our democracy will prevail through this political impasse.

The little new political party, The Democratic Party, that made it to Parliament albeit on the Nationalist Party ticket, is more than ever determined to serve the country , freely and unencumbered by compromising deals with third parties.

With two experienced Members of Parliament, and an impending total overhaul of the Leadership and Executive of this budding political force, the country is going to acquire precisely what it needs : new , fresh, reliable people spearheading the growth of this political endeavour outside parliament, while echoing the voice of our communities and society within parliament.

The renewed and fast evolving PD has no baggage to weigh it down and will be run by citizens with whom everyone can work , away from the sticky quagmire that the traditional political landscape has sunk in.

The coming couple of months are going to be crucial for PD as it takes the shape that best renders it capable to grow in its capacity to serve our country wisely and loyally.

I am determined to serve the country through the Democratic party in Parliament.

At this stage , I am not interested in contesting the Leadership of this party, not least because we have capable others willing and able to take on that responsibility while I consolidate PD presence in the highest institution in the land.

Meanwhile, I invite you summon the courage that definitely lives within you , so that , you too can be part of the change you want to see.