While early voting for the election of the Nationalist Party's two deputy leadership posts - one for party and one for parliamentary affairs - was held yesterday, the main election will be held next Saturday. In recent weeks, The Malta Independent on Sunday has caught up with the four candidates to hear their views on the party's future under a new leader in the wake of its disastrous election defeat last June. Here are their thoughts, in brief, on their prospective positions.

David Agius: Parliamentary Affairs

PN party whip David Agius was the first to contest for the role of Deputy Leader for Parliamentary Affairs, in an interview way back in July of this year. A loyal and avid support of the now leader, Adrian Delia, Agius however had always assured his candidacy, whoever the leader would be and even after pressure from others in the party to step down from candidacy for MP Chris Said to take the Deputy role, due to coming second in the leadership election.

In an interview with this newspaper, Agius emphasised the need for unity in the party which, he said, cannot be achieved by a single person. He said that the most important role for any deputy is to serve the nation. "To do this, we need to work together as an Opposition to strive for the best," he said. "We can only do this together, so I believe loyalty is a very important quality: loyalty to the party as well as loyalty to the people. Strong leadership skills, as well as humility, must work hand-in-hand to support the role of Deputy Leader of Parliamentary Affairs."

The PN MP, with 14 years of parliamentary experience - nine as Party Whip and four as chairman of the Committee for Consideration of Bills, together with his participation on local and foreign parliamentary committees and in parliamentary delegations, is sure that such experience would be an asset to the person serving as Deputy Leader for Parliamentary Affairs.

Edwin Vassallo: Parliamentary Affairs

MP Edwin Vassallo, known for his rather conservative stance, stresses that the party can no longer remain complacent and describes himself as 'A common man, belonging to the people'.

Known recently for his vote against same-sex marriage, Vassallo has asserted that he is neither a conservative nor a liberal but chooses the 'third option', adding: "I don't really want to be labelled 'liberal' or 'conservative'; we need to be realistic and the third option is the common good, which is respecting the vulnerable in society.

"In politics, I believe we need to face the issues of reality and seek this common good in a democratic way. I respect the majority vote: if I am in the minority, I want to be respected and if I am in the majority I will respect the minority," he explained.

Vassallo, a former Parliamentary Secretary and Mosta mayor, spoke about the importance of dialogue between the people and the party. "We need to start from the beginning, which means not getting rid of everything either but continuing with the good that already exists and exploring in a new way the cultural dialogue - a society where everyone is listened to." 

Toni Bezzina: Party Affairs

MP Toni Bezzina believes that the party needed to speak consistently and not conveniently, saying that it needed to get its house in order, recognise its failings and to come down off its high horse to begin tackling the issues at hand.

Bezzina, who has been involved in the party for the last 10 years, said that he can "walk the walk and talk the talk because I have been down that path", having been part of the sectional committee, a district representative and a member of the executive and then an MP.

"I want to be a bridge-builder, a time-keeper and an active listener" he explained, saying that the party needed to win the respect of the widest form of interests and, if not always agreeing on the content, at least being open to fully exploring all angles of a situation.

Bezzina stated that the party has always represented the 'right way' and the 'new way'. "Historically, it has taken the right decisions and established a modern and new nation for the benefit of everyone. I want to keep that. I believe that we are on this mission to serve, and as long as we ensure that we can still do that honestly, then we are on the right track" he said.

He also addressed the issue of the Party's finances, saying that a plan had been implemented over the last few years but he is also proposing to strengthen the Treasurer's office.

Robert Arrigo: Party Affairs

MP and former Sliema mayor Robert Arrigo in an interview with this newspaper spoke about the party venturing in a new direction, but emphasised on it being the right way to do politics. Having been in the party for numerous years, Arrigo divulged that the key to success was in being organised.

"I see myself as having a good eye for identifying faults in the structure of organisations and how to rectify them: I have good organisational skills", he said. He also talks about networking, about the need for the business community, civil society and the different sectors of our society to feel comfortable with the Nationalist Party.

"The only way we can achieve this is to ensure that key people feel comfortable speaking and working with us. I have networked all my life and therefore it is second nature to me, and in the PN I will be involved in this personally, alongside others."

Arrigo expressed his aims for Malta to become a normal country again, with the only alternative being for the PN to win the next election. "It is important that we present ourselves as a new party, practicing a new way - but the right way - of doing politics. This means listening to the people more and genuinely acting on people's concerns and fears," he added.