The Nationalist Party is set to begin its statutory obligation to elect a leader this week – and it’s probable that the current incumbent will be the only candidate for the post.

Bernard Grech, who was elected to the party leadership just 18 months ago, is so far the only MP to have expressed the desire to contest for the leadership.

On Thursday, the PN’s executive committee will be meeting to finalise details on the process that will lead to the election of the leader. It will be followed by a general council to be held on Sunday, which will kick off the race – if there will be one – for the election.

 After an election defeat, the PN leader is obliged by the statute to step down. But the same leader could then seek re-election, and this is what Grech said he intends to do.

Other MPs touted for the leadership, including former leader Adrian Delia and newcomers to Parliament Joe Giglio and Mark Anthony Sammut have said they have no interest in the post.

The council meeting to be held on Sunday will iron out the timeline for the process. The council, the party’s highest organ, will only close when the leader – new or confirmed – will be elected.

If Grech remains the sole contender, all he would require is a simple majority. If a second candidate throws in their hat, then the party members would be required to make their choice. If there are three or more candidates, a secret vote will be held within the general council to whittle down the contenders to two, following which the party members would be asked to vote.

Grech was elected to leader in October 2020 after a bitter battled spearheaded by a group of MPs who worked to oust the previous leader, Delia.

Grech had won the election with 69 per cent of the votes.

The PN suffered a third election defeat in a row, and has changed the leader three times since 2013. Lawrence Gonzi had been replaced by Simon Busuttil, who in turn had resigned after the 2017 election to be replaced by Delia. Grech had taken over from Delia in 2020.

After the election of the leader, the PN will also elect its two deputy leaders. Robert Arrigo has said that he will not seek re-election, while David Agius is still to say what his intentions are.