Bernard Grech has applied to contest the election for the leadership of the Nationalist Party, a position he has held since October 2020.

Grech is likely to be the sole contender for the post. Nominations close on Friday.

Grech became PN leader after ousting incumbent Adrian Delia in an election spurred by internal dissent.

The PN lost its third general election in a row in March.

If he is uncontested, Grech will need to be approved by a simple majority in the PN general council.

If two candidates apply, party members will be asked to vote for the new leader.

If there are three or more candidates, a vote in the general council will whittle them down the two before the members are asked to vote.