The Nationalist Party executive council on Wednesday announced which members of parliament elected on two districts would be vacating one of the seats, giving the go-ahead for the casual election process, in turn opening the door for PM Lawrence Gonzi to initiate proceedings to select a Speaker of the House of Representatives for the next legislature.

Many names are being mentioned. The main issue is that the government, enjoying only a one-seat majority, will in all likelihood appoint someone who is not an MP, as has often been the practice. This is due to the fact that if a Speaker is appointed from the parliamentary group, the situation in Parliament would be a 34-34 situation, plus the Speaker, who would also be a PN MP.

This would not be exactly a desirable situation for the PN, and therefore in all likelihood the person to be selected will be someone with experience, but who has not been elected to Parliament.

One candidate whose name has been doing the rounds is that of long-serving former minister Louis Galea.

Dr Galea was surprisingly not returned to parliament. However, while Dr Galea has the stature to be Speaker, many are speculating that he is future President material once President Eddie Fenech Adami steps down next year. His name has also been linked to the European Commission.

There could be a scenario where Dr Galea is appointed Speaker, with a view of taking over as Head of State next year when Dr Fenech Adami’s term of office expires.

Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil is also being mentioned as a possible Speaker, although it is highly unlikely that he will accept to leave Brussels. Many are touting Dr Busuttil to take over as PN secretary-general once the current holder of the post, Joe Saliba, calls it a day.

Two other names that crop up are of former cabinet members who did not make it into parliament this time around; however, this will all depend on how they fare in the upcoming casual elections. They are Censu Galea and Michael Frendo.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi is rumoured to favour the appointment of a female speaker; however, given the one-seat majority – the choice is extremely limited. Names that come up are those of former parliamentary secretary Helen D’Amato and candidate Shirley Farrugia from the 11th District, who will be competing with Charlo Bonnici in the casual elections.

Another potential candidate, seen by many as having the right credentials to be Speaker, is Victor Scerri, current PN president. Dr Scerri has quietly and unobtrusively moved up the party hierarchy consistently for the past few years. However, he could also be tempted into running for the PN

secretary-general post.

Valletta mayor Paul Borg Olivier has been a popular figure for some time, especially in local government spheres; however, he has made it clear that his ambitions lie further than being mayor. Dr Borg Olivier was another who did not make it to parliament – although he still has a chance in the casual elections – and his being given the seat of Speaker could be a possibility.

Other possible outsiders are PN College of Councillors president Malcolm Mifsud and head of the European Commission’s Representation in Malta Joanna Drake, who narrowly missed out in the MEP elections.