Now that the Roberta Metsola question has been answered, the Nationalist Party must urgently turn the page. After the sudden resignation of Bernard Grech, many within the party and beyond held on to the hope that Metsola would return from Brussels to steer the PN out of its long-standing crisis. But the truth is now unavoidable: she's not coming back.

For many supporters, this reality is difficult to accept. Metsola, President of the European Parliament and one of Malta's most internationally respected political figures, was widely seen as the PN's best chance at turning the tide. Her credibility, sharp intellect, and appeal made her the rare figure who could have united a party that has long been fractured and directionless. Even those sceptical of her ability to win the next general election conceded that her leadership would have given the PN a much-needed injection of credibility and impetus.

To many Nationalist voters, Metsola's refusal to take the plunge feels like a betrayal - a turning of her back on the country and the party that gave her a political platform. Their reasoning is that it was time for Metsola to give back, but she chose to stay away.

Others then argue that Metsola made the right decision. The PN today is a deeply fragmented political force, worn down by more than a decade in opposition, saddled with internal factions, and struggling with its finances. Even a political figure of her stature would have faced monumental obstacles. Why should she throw away a prestigious and effective career in the heart of Europe to enter a party in near-disrepair, with no guarantees of unity or electoral success?

The party has now cycled through three leaders since losing power in 2013, and it still finds itself in the same stagnant position. As a recent survey shows, the PN has barely moved the needle since its heavy loss in the 2022 election. And with Labour continuing to consolidate its strength, Prime Minister Robert Abela has not missed the chance to pounce on the PN's internal "chaos", to use his words. Indeed, he may be tempted to call an early election to take full advantage of the PN's weakened state.

The PN must now come to terms with reality. Metsola is not the saviour riding in from Brussels. No one is. It is time for the party to do the hard work of internal reform. The PN will now have a new leader - but this is far from sufficient. What the PN needs is a complete overhaul, a fundamental rethinking of what it stands for, who it represents, and how it engages with the public.

This begins with choosing a leader who is not just capable, but transformative. Someone who can unify the party's disparate factions, yes, but also someone with the political imagination to revamp its identity, attract new voices, and reconnect with a generation that has largely written it off. The PN must open its doors to people with fresh ideas and a real commitment to political renewal.

The process of electing this new leader is set to begin today, and could stretch into the end of summer. Even here, the party must examine itself critically. Does it really make sense that such a pivotal decision is bogged down by a slow, outdated internal system? When Joseph Muscat resigned in December 2019, Labour managed to elect a new leader within six weeks - during the Christmas period, no less. The PN must consider similar reforms to streamline its leadership transitions and become more agile in its decision-making.

But above all, the party must recognise the enormity of the moment. This next leadership choice cannot be another misstep. The PN has already lost too much time and too many battles. Another wrong choice, another superficial refresh, and the damage may become irreversible. It is not only the party that cannot afford another mistake - it is the country as well.

A robust opposition is essential. Labour must not be allowed a free ride. A functioning democracy requires checks and balances, alternative visions, and real debate. That is the PN's role - or it should be.

The next general election, whether it happens in 2027 or earlier, may already be out of reach for the PN in terms of victory. But that is no excuse for inaction. The coming months must be treated as an opportunity to rebuild - perhaps not to win right away, but to lay the foundation for a genuine comeback. A party renewed in ideas, purpose, and personnel can inspire again.

The Roberta Metsola chapter is closed. It is time for the PN to stop hoping for miracles and start doing the work. The clock is ticking - not just for the party, but for Maltese democracy itself.