Adrian Delia has broken his silence amid growing speculation about the Nationalist Party (PN) leadership race, stating that any decision to lead the party again must be rooted in reflection, not in backroom deals. Writing on Facebook, Delia said the PN "does not belong to any one person" but to the Tesserati, the party's registered members, who are "present in every town, every street" and are the only ones who should determine the party's next leader.

His statement comes days after Bernard Grech's unexpected resignation from the PN leadership, which has triggered renewed debate over the party's future direction and potential candidates for the top post. Delia, who served as PN leader between 2017 and 2020, has long remained a divisive yet persistent figure within the party's internal dynamics.

In his post, Delia confirmed that he is currently recovering at home following a recent undisclosed medical issue. "I am deeply thankful for the thousands of messages and calls I have received wishing me well. I am home and on the road to recovery," he wrote, before addressing the wave of rumours and speculation around a possible return to the leadership.

"Decisions of this weight are never taken lightly," Delia said. "They require reflection, time, and space." While not formally announcing his candidacy, the former PN leader appeared to leave the door open to the possibility, highlighting the sacrifices such a role demands-personally, professionally, and in family life.

"Leading a party demands significant personal, professional and family sacrifice-something I have experienced firsthand," he said. "It calls for putting aside personal interest in favour of the greater good of the party and the country - now more than ever."

Delia's post strongly emphasised the need for a new political culture-one focused on unity, collaboration, and respect. "I firmly believe in a new kind of politics-politics rooted in unity, mutual respect, and collaboration, free from personal attacks, and focused on the politics of working together for one goal - one country, one people, one nation!"

Though Delia did not name names, his remarks may be seen as a response to internal rifts that have frequently plagued the PN in recent years, including during his own tenure. The former leader was ousted by a majority of PN MPs in 2020 following months of internal conflict, and replaced by Bernard Grech through a Tesserati-led election.

His latest comments underline a clear message to both the party's base and its elite structures: the decision about who should lead must come from the grassroots. "The decision to lead our great Party is not driven by deals or arrangements," Delia wrote. "The party does not belong to any one person-it belongs to the Tesserati... Their voice is the only voice that matters."

This emphasis on internal democracy may appeal to party members frustrated with what they perceive as top-down decision-making in recent years. It also reflects Delia's ongoing connection to the party's core supporters, many of whom have remained loyal to him despite his ousting.

Delia's statement follows Roberta Metsola's announcement earlier this week that she would not be contesting the leadership race, saying her duties as President of the European Parliament require her full commitment. Metsola expressed support for whoever takes on the PN leadership but ruled herself out, adding that her focus "cannot be divided."

With both Metsola and Delia remaining, for now, outside the race officially, the path forward for the Nationalist Party remains uncertain. Yet Delia's post signals that he may be seriously considering a return-provided the party base calls for it.

Whether Delia re-enters the fray or not, his statement reasserts key principles of grassroots democracy within the PN at a time when the party is undergoing yet another leadership transition. "That is what our party deserves. That is what our country deserves," he concluded.

The coming weeks will be crucial as the PN prepares to elect a new leader. With calls for reform and renewal growing louder, the voices of the Tesserati-as Delia repeatedly affirmed-may soon determine not only the party's next figurehead but also its long-term future.