Embattled PN Leader Adrian Delia this afternoon met with President George Vella at San Anton Palace after MPs who voted against him in a confidence vote on Tuesday proposed Therese Comodini Cachia to replace him as Opposition Leader. 

Delia was seen entering the palace at around 5.35pm and left an hour later. He did not give comments on his way in and out of the palace.

It is unclear whether the meeting was held at the President's request or whether Delia has asked to speak to him.

The meeting was held after MPs started a process to oust him as Opposition Leader.

Comodini Cachia had seconded the motion for a vote of confidence in Delia's leadership which was proposed by Chris Said.

Delia lost the vote on Tuesday evening by 19 votes to 11, but insisted that he will remain as both opposition leader and PN leader.

PN MPs Chris Said and Claudette Buttigieg met with President George Vella at San Anton Palace this afternoon. Ivan Bartolo and Beppe Fenech Adami were also seen entering the palace later in the evening.

Vella has the constitutional power to remove the opposition leader if it can be proven that he has lost the support of the majority of the opposition bench.

It is a process which is not expected to be immediate - the President will have to verify that Comodini Cachia does indeed have the majority of support in the opposition benches - which includes all the PN MPs, and three independents in the form of Marlene Farrugia, Godfrey Farrugia, and Konrad Mizzi.

Marlene and Godfrey Farrugia have already said that they will join the dissenting MPs against Delia if they do go to the President.

Comodini Cachia was first elected to Parliament in 2017, having previously served as an MEP. There was some controversy over her taking her place in parliament, after she had first said that she would relinquish her local seat in order to keep her seat in Brussels. 

She eventually reversed her decision and retained her seat.  She currently serves as the spokesperson for culture and media. She is also one of the lawyers representing the Caruana Galizia family in court proceedings. 

If she is appointed as the leader of the opposition, she will be the first female to hold the post.