Nationalist Party leader Adrian Delia this morning appealed for a process of dialogue and understanding as the party embarks on the road of a political reform that will be led by veteran politician Louis Galea.
On Friday, Galea was appointed by Delia to draw up a report on the way forward for the PN in a bid to bring different factions of the party together. The appointment was made on the same day that an extraordinary general council was convened for 27 July which is to discuss the party’s future as well as take a vote on Delia’s leadership.
“My appeal is that we do not just discuss about the future, but instead we work together for the future,” Delia said today in an interview on the party radio station, three weeks after his previous participation.
“The process of dialogue is extremely important. I was very clear that at the general council we need to have an open discussion and that every single member is free to speak their mind and opinion. I want people to make their arguments and for us to debate and discuss,” he said.
“The General Council is an opportunity for us to sit down and discuss the necessary changes; and it is not just in my power as a leader, but we all must come together to strengthen the party,” Delia added. Once the discussion is over, and decisions are taken, then all the party must pull the same rope, he said.
Reiterating that he has been PN leader for less than two years, Delia insisted that he cannot work on his own, and neither can Louis Galea be expected to work on the party’s reform on his own. He said that the party needs to be united, but unity is not enough. The party needs to be strong and credible in its service to the country as an Opposition that is ready to praise what there is to praise, but also to criticise the government where it is in the wrong and come up with alternative plans.
Delia said that he and the party welcome all those who would like to make a contribution in the political reform that has just started. He thanked Carm Mifsud Bonnici and Alex Perici Calascione for their decision to contest for party posts at such a delicate time for the PN, as well as Francis Zammit Dimech who has always shown extreme loyalty to the party and never shies away when he is asked to be of service.
Mifsud Bonnici and Perici Calascione were elected presidents of the party administrative and executive committees respectively, while Zammit Dimech was appointed head of a commission to oversee the counting process in the general council.