Therese Comodini Cachia, who has been nominated by rebel MPs as their preferred choice for the post of Opposition Leader, today di not exclude the possibility of a Nationalist Party split, saying that there is a list of alternatives that are being looked into.

Speaking to journalists outside the Parliament building, Comodini Cachia said the next step is the convening of the PN executive committee, set for tonight. “We’re trying to find all alternatives that are possible and we have a list of those alternatives,” she said. “We will definitely make sure to continue what we started.”

She was referring to the vote of no confidence given to Opposition leader Adrian Delia by 19 members of the 30-strong PN parliamentary group. The intention was to oust him from the post, but Delia has refused to resign and President George Vella has ruled that he cannot remove Delia as he is still the leader of the largest party in Opposition.

Asked about a comment made by Delia that he would never trust her again, Comodini Cachia said that it is not the first time that Delia has made threats and it will not be the last. “Threats such as this only serve to break up the party,” adding that what the dissenting MPs are doing is try to strengthen the party in the best interests of the party and the country.

"I will not be threatening anyone," she added, and "we will remain open" to anyone who wants to join the cause, "the only cause that the PN deserves".

She said that the idea of a party split is not a step that we have reached as yet and that this depends a lot on what happens this evening, she said, referring to the executive committee meeting. When asked about the possibility of a split, she said that there are a number of possibilities available.

She said that there will be no threats against the leader, MPs, councillors or paid-up members. Our intention is to strengthen the PN, she said.