Soon after Bernard Grech announced that he is to step down as leader of the Nationalist Party on Tuesday at noon, people from the local political arena gave their reactions to either thank him for his service, motivate for the PN to come back stronger under new leadership, or to diss the party presently in Opposition amidst this breaking news.

The Nationalist Party expressed its appreciation to Grech for his five years in charge – a period it described to be filled with challenges and relentless work. The party thanked him for his central role in achieving last year’s positive results during the European Parliament and Local Council elections.

Bernard Grech’s wife, Anne Marie Grech, thanked everyone who supported them throughout these past few years. She said that throughout this journey, her and her husband were honoured to have worked tirelessly for the good of the country as they grounded themselves with the people.

Bernard Grech’s predecessor, Adrian Delia, thanked Grech for his service to the country as PN leader during an admittedly choppy period. Delia – who is currently recovering from an appendicitis he suffered the day prior – said that “now is a delicate time for our Party” and “an extremely important time for our country.”

Delia said that it is time for thought, unity, wisdom, and time to disregard personal interests and prioritise the party’s interests “since that is how we can best safeguard the national interest.” Hoping for the upcoming weeks not to be filled with division, rumours, or haste, the ex PN leader pleaded for the race to succeed Grech not to devolve into a power struggle, but rather a fight in favour of the Maltese islands.

In a very short post, European Parliament President and PN MEP Roberta Metsola, who many feel should be Grech’s successor, simply said “Thank you Bernard for your dedication and friendship.”

Gozitan PN MP Alex Borg, who is another one considered to be a front-runner for the position, stated that Grech’s work and will to unite the Nationalist Party will not be forgotten. After thanking him his support and encouragement, Borg said that the party is looking forward towards building on “the many good things you have achieved.”

Long-time PN MEP David Casa thanked Grech for his work and dedication to the Nationalist Party and to the country. He said that his tenure shall be remembered for the great results achieved last year in the MEP/LC elections, where the PN managed to re-obtain a third seat in the European Parliament.

PN MP Darren Carabott noted that Grech had introduced a new generation of people into the Nationalist Party as PN leader, and also observed that the PN had reduced the deficit to the Labour Party last year “by just a few thousand” votes. He said that with today’s noon announcement, Grech took yet another decision after putting the country first.

The Nationalist Party’s Mark Anthony Sammut said that as Grech always placed the party’s and the country’s interests first, before one’s own personal interests, the PN must continue to abide by this approach.

Noting that this is a difficult moment for the outgoing Opposition leader – on both political and personal levels – Sammut thanked Grech for all his support and for all the faith he had expressed in party representatives.

He also called for the party to united more than ever before, in reaction to its upcoming leadership change.

“Our country needs us, it needs all of us, and it needs us with all our strength,” Sammut said.

Labour Party deputy leader and star MEP Alex Agius Saliba wrote on social media that the day prior, he had described surveys to be “political games,” stating that elections have never solely been won through surveys, and that his party must remain grounded.

Agius Saliba said that Grech’s announced resignation confirms that “they will do all that’s possible to reach their goals.”

“How can you ever trust them when they even go so far as to tear each other apart,” Agius Saliba remarked.

He also commented that just 11 days prior, the Nationalist Party had accused the Labour Party of lying after it had stated that Grech was facing resignation pressures; according to the S&D Vice-President, the PN had said that this was only publicized by the PL to disrupt its fundraising marathon and make it more difficult for the Opposition party to alleviate its financial struggles.

PL MEP Daniel Attard remarked that “in the absence of an Opposition, it is our duty to be constructive voices within the government, in the best interest of our party and country.”

Former PL MEP candidate Clint Azzopardi Flores published that if leaders are going to begin being selected and kicked out on the basis of public surveys, then Malta as a country has entered new political territory.

PN’s energy spokesperson Ryan Callus said that to him, Grech shall remain to be the “genuine and honest” man he knows, and “a bridge builder.” He reminisced on when he, alongside Grech, announced the party’s 2050 energy plan, back in February 2021, as “the greatest moment of work they accomplished together.”

He also expressed his gratitude to Grech for expressing his faith in him and for his service to the Maltese islands, as many other similarly commented.

The party’s former Secretary General, Michael Piccinino, reiterated his gratitude to Grech “for always putting the interests of the country and the Party before your own.” He said that working beside him as a candidate and as Secretary General was an honour, and thanked him for the friendship they built.

Other PN MPs publicized concise messages of their own; Paula Mifsud Bonnici said that “gentlemanliness speaks for itself,” Eve Borg Bonello simply thanked him for his service, and Beppe Fenech Adami said that the country is grateful to him for giving his best and his all.

In wake of this announcement, Il-Kollettiv’s secretary, Wayne Flask, observed that the Nationalist Party requires a young leader who is “thoughtful, understands the people’s realities, is presentable, and is capable of uniting anti-Labour conservatives in the party with the few progressives who do not believe in classism and arrogance as an identity.” However, he critically added that “it would be easier to bring in a stuntman.”