Entrepreneur Rosette Thake told The Malta Independent this morning that so far discussions on a possible future role as the Nationalist Party’s secretary-general are “still ongoing” and at present she is only concentrating on being elected on the party’s executive committee.

Rosette Thake has emerged as a possible replacement for outgoing secretary-general Chris Said, who has been asked not to contest the post to concentrate on Gozo following the resignation of former minister Giovanna Debono from the party.

Contacted this morning, Ms Thake said that at this post her main focus is to be elected as one of the 18 members of the executive committee. These 18 members are elected via the general council, and will join others from the party administration and parliamentary group. The secretary general will then be chosen from among the members of the executive committee.

Asked whether she is interested in the post of secretary general, she neither confirmed nor denied her interest, just saying that “discussions are still ongoing”. Her answer can be interpreted to mean that she has been approached for the position.

What the party needs at this point is new people and new ideas to renew itself, she said.

Asked whether not having a political past is an advantage or disadvantage, Ms Thake said that her background in business gives her an edge, but she said she also understands the argument made by those who believe that a secretary general should have a strong political past.

Other possible contenders for the post are David Agius, Clyde Puli and David Casa, while Ann Fenech has already declined.