As from this evening, the Natiionalist Party will have a new secretary general, Charles Bonello, who replaces Michael Piccinino.

Piccinino, who has held the post for three years and eight months, resigned to contest the next general election.

The PN, in a post, said that "this is not the end of his work within the Nationalist Party and for the good of our Malta. Michael's work has resulted in numerous successes for the Nationalist Party. The result of the elections last June is just one of many. Michael Piccinino's efforts continued to bring the Nationalist Party closer to the people and kept offering hope that our country could once again have the government it deserves, a new Nationalist Party Government."

The PN thanked Piccinino for his work.

Three candidates had initially put forward their names to replace him - Bonello, Liam Sciberras and Stefan Caruana. But the latter two pulled out of the race, paving the way for Bonello's election, which needs to be confirmed tonight in a meeting of the party's executive committee.

Piccinino had announced his decision to step down from this role back in August. He was expected to be replaced by Karl Gouder, but the party stalwart passed away just two days after publicicing his interest to be Piccinino's successor.

In a post on Facebook, Piccinino thanked all those who helped him in his role as secretary general, saying it was an "incredible experience".