Opposition Leader Bernard Grech is hopeful that the PN could close the gap to the Labour Party in the coming weeks and months.

The Labour Party has enjoyed a substantial lead over its political rivals since 2013, winning each and every election by a landslide margin.

The PN, meanwhile, has stumbled and been unable to really recover those numbers. Bernard Grech took over the helm of the party in October 2020, less than a year and a half ago. He took over from Adrian Delia, who was ousted due to division in the party.

However, one questions whether that internal divide has really been completely solved. Just recently it was reported that Grech had to call in Therese Comodini Cachia and Adrian Delia after Comodini Cachia took aim at Delia in a Tweet, over the latter's questioning of a journalist in a libel case.

One also questions whether the party has managed to win over the Delia supporters who were angry at the way he was removed as leader. Would those supporters who are not in Delia’s districts vote PN?

While Grech may be hopeful, such little incidents so close to an election are damaging, especially when the party is viewed as being fragmented in the eyes of many.

It must be said that the divisions that existed when Delia was ousted are now not as prominent as they were at the time, so some form of healing could be seen to have taken place.

Undoubtedly, a week is a long time in politics, and things can change but, realistically speaking, the gap has been massive since 2013.

So what can the PN do? Well, the party issued many proposals this past year, and legislative recommendations. The people, however, are still not very responsive, and the PN needs to work on this.

The anti-corruption legislative proposals by the PN were good, and one questions why the government just shot them down without proposing any amendments. Grech argues that It seems as though this was a case of just shooting them down because they were proposed by the Opposition. Regardless, the PN have some political ammunition to use.

With a few weeks or months to go, can Grech really shrink the divide between the parties? If he does, there is a good chance the party would want to keep him on as leader. If he doesn’t, the party could very well go back to internal squabbles.

Asked whether he would remain on as leader if he loses the election, he said that he is going to continue working, the election will come, the people will make their decision, adding that one would see the situation on that day. “But certainly, I remain determined to ask for support to keep working so that this party will keep becoming stronger and the country would truly have an alternative that is just and worthy. I will surely not run away from the helm at the most delicate time.”

This response indicated that Grech is planning beyond the election and that he would be willing to stay on.

It will not be an easy election for the PN. The party needs to focus on strengthening its base and increasing its numbers.