A Labour Party extraordinary general conference has been called for Friday to discuss amendments to the statute, including opening up the possibility for Members of Parliament and MEPs to contest the post of deputy leader for party affairs, the PL said in a statement on Wednesday.

The reverse had happened a few years ago, when the PL had restricted the post to non-MPs, with Daniel Micallef later elected as deputy leader for party affairs. The PL is now making a u-turn back to the original position.

The conference has been called by the PL’s administration committee, and this was approved by the national executive. The conference will start at 6pm.

The move comes hours after the party’s former secretary general Jason Micallef withdrew his idea to contest for the post after a meeting with Prime Minister and party leader Robert Abela.

At the same time, MEP Alex Agius Saliba has shown an interest in the post.

The party will be electing its two deputy leaders in an election to take place between 13 and 15 September. Apart from Daniel Micallef, the party will also be seeking a replacement to Chris Fearne, deputy leader for parliamentary affairs, who quit after enough prima facie evidence was found for him to stand trial following the conclusion of a magisterial inquiry into the hospitals’ deal.

Nominations for the two posts will open on 23 August and close two days later.