Nationalist MP Mark Anthony Sammut excluded himself from the race to the Nationalist Party leadership, saying there is "one person" who "clearly" enjoys a "wide consensus" and who could lead the party to victory in the next election.

Sammut did not mention any name, but his words could be construed to be referring to Roberta Metsola, European Parliament President.

This person, Sammut told journalists outside Parliament, has wide support in in the PN parliamentary group and among the members, as well as support among the general public.

He said that, whatever happens and whoever is elected leader, he will be giving his full support.

Other PN Mps who talked to journalists included former deputy leader Mario de Marco, who said that the decision to be taken by the party will be in its best interests and that of the country.

MP Rebekah Borg said that the party must work to become an alternative government to build a better country.

MP Toni Bezzina thanked Grech for his work and said the party must now gear itself up for the election.

PN MP Mario de Marco said that Grech's decision to resign was his own, and he believed Grech made the decision in the interest of the party.

De Marco said Grech undoubtedly gave his best to the role, but now, the party must look forward.

He said that entering into party leadership is never "an easy ride," adding that it is an extremely difficult decision and road to take.

"However, I think in the best interests of this country, it is important that now this leadership vacuum is filled, and that the party moves ahead," de Marco said, adding that MPs are in politics to serve the country.

Asked if there was any candidate in particular he wanted to see as leader, de Marco said that he would not mention names, and urged everyone to wait for the process of electing a new party leader to take its course.

He was also asked whether there is someone who can lead the PN to victory in the next elections.

De Marco said that there are various people who are capable, and again said that everyone must wait for the process to start.

"Let us not anticipate," de Marco said, adding that speculation should stop so that people take the time to reach a decision in calmness.

Asked if he was concerned that an internal party election fairly close to a general election could create internal-party divide, de Marco said, "let us learn from our past mistakes."

He said that ultimately, every election is a matter of choice, and every election which happens "without wanting to, does create divisions."

"It would be foolish to say that an election does not create a division. The important thing is how quickly does the party heal from a divisive process like the election," de Marco said.

"I firmly believe we are capable of going through the election process, healing and learning from that process, and getting stronger after it," de Marco said.

He said that the most important quality that a leader should have is that of listening, secondly, the leader needs to surround themselves with the right people, as ultimately, a leader rules as "good as the people they have around them."

De Marco said that it is vital for any leader to have a good team of people advising and guiding him. He continued that at the end of the day, a leader needs to lead.

"That leader needs to be a person who is capable of taking decisions, and it is also very important that we need to read the signs of the times out there," de Marco said.

He said that the worst mistake that a leader can do at this point in time is to be nostalgic.

"You cannot be nostalgic in politics. Politics is all about tomorrow and not about the past. The Nationalist party cannot ignore the past to justify its present. If the Nationalist party wants to survive, it needs to look ahead, and realise that Maltese society has changed tremendously, and we need to change with it," he said.

Asked if he wanted a conservative as a party leader, de Marco said he was never a conservative.

PN MP Beppe Fenech Adami also spoke to journalists outside Parliament, saying that Grech's decision to resign must be respected.

He said that Grech has lifted the PN in the best way in the past five years, and wished Grech well for giving his full energy to the Nationalist party.

Fenech Adami said that Grech has done all he can to provide a service to the party, as well as the country.

Asked if he wanted to see anyone in particular as leader, Fenech Adami said that it is not a matter of wishing for anyone to be leader, but a matter of who is the best candidate to lead the Nationalist party, and eventually, the best candidate who could one day become Prime Minister of the country.

Fenech Adami said that the qualities of a leader must be someone who inspires people, understand them, and be capable of leading a political party such as the PN.