Many within the PN are urging the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, to contest and take over the reins of the Nationalist Party, PN sources told this newsroom, adding that the quicker she takes a decision, the better it would be.

Bernard Grech announced his resignation from the post of PN Leader on Tuesday. The announcement came following a disastrous political survey which placed the PN some 39,000 votes behind the PL. "The time has now come for this party, which I have had the privilege and honour to be the leader of, to start a new chapter," he said. "The same sense of duty and great responsibility which led me to drop everything and come in to be party leader, has today with, great serenity, given me the conviction to leave this post in the hands of someone who can lead this party forward with the interest of the Maltese and Gozitan people in mind."

The favourite to replace Grech within the party is by far Roberta Metsola, although she has not yet declared whether or not she would contest. Attempts by this newsroom to get a response have not received an answer.

Party sources said that Metsola is the person who most in the Parliamentary Group are pushing to take over as PN Leader, as are many within the party structures. "There's a big push within the PN for her to come," one party source said. Another, said that there is a general agreement that Metsola is the best person to take up the role.

"The quicker she takes her decision, the better it would be for the party," a source said, mentioning that it cannot be a prolonged process. Another source mentioned that while they can appreciate that Metsola needs to take this decision serenely, the timeframes are what they are. "The sooner everyone interested declares their interest, the better it would be for everyone." 

Metsola not having declared her decision as to whether to contest or not could be holding people back from putting their names forward, sources also mentioned.

"If she isn't going to come, it would be better that she says it, so that whoever wants to go for the role will step up," one source said. Until Metsola makes a decision, some don't think anyone will go for the role. Another didn't exclude that people are waiting to see what she will do first.

Another source said that if Metsola contests, nobody else will.

But there is also a sense of frustration within the party, some said. Some noted that she might want to finish her term as EU Parliament President, "but the party cannot afford going for another major loss while she sits on the fence."

A source said that after the success she has had through her own work, but also through the strength of the party, "many of us believe the time has come for her to contribute right now, knowing that with her popularity in a few months we can be in a fighting position."

If she does not come now, many will feel betrayed, the source said, noting that PN leaders cannot continue to be in her shadow.

A source also said that the PN Leader had offered Metsola, after the MEP elections, that if she was ready to take over he would step aside.

There have been others who were named in the media as being possible contenders.

Everyone recognises the importance of having the Parliamentary Group behind whoever ends up contesting, a source said, adding that everyone is aware that whoever is elected has to have a strong backing. "We know what happened in the past, it sort of happened again now." Grech wasn't pushed out, the source clarified, but added that there was a general sense of discontent recently.

One person who has been mentioned in the media as a possible contender is Alex Borg. Some PN sources said Alex Borg is popular outside the Parliamentary group, but is not so popular inside it. Others aired some concern with regard to his lack of political experience at this stage.

Adrian Delia is also being mentioned as a possible comeback, sources said, but highlighted the question as to whether Borg and Delia would contest at the same time. One source said that they have not seen any MPs lobbying to put forward their own names, and when asked about Delia, while not having heard anything, did say that the former leader learnt a lot from his first experience and that experience has made him a better possible candidate.

Others who have been mentioned in the media include Darren Carabott.

So far nobody has declared their intention to contest.

Regarding indications being made by Franco Debono, some party sources said that they doubt he would be acceptable for many should he want to contest.

Mark Anthony Sammut was also being touted as a contender, however had on Tuesday ruled himself out.