Former Nationalist Party leader Adrian Delia has officially announced that he will be contesting to be Bernard Grech's successor.

The MP, who was Grech's predecessor before being ousted by an internal party revolt, made the announcement in a social media post.

“Deciding to run for the leadership of the Nationalist Party is neither an easy nor a hasty decision. It carries profound implications not only for myself but also for those closest to me — especially my family,” he wrote.

“From my early days at Radio 101, through my time as party leader and then as a Member of Parliament, I have dedicated myself to serving the party and the country.” He said that his commitment has always been guided by a belief in what is right and just.

“Over the past weeks, I have spoken to many of you. You have shared your thoughts, your hopes, and your desire to see a strong, united party — one that rises above internal divisions, embraces a new way of politics, and moves confidently toward victory. I have heard this passion in your voices and seen it in your eyes. Your encouragement has truly inspired me.”

“Understanding the weight of this responsibility, yet confident that together we can turn a page and begin a new chapter, I have chosen once more to place the interests of the PN and country first. With the support of my family, friends, kunsilliera, tesserati and parliamentary colleagues, I am officially putting my name forward to serve as leader of our great party once again.I truly believe that looking forward, we can succeed!”

Delia has become the first person to announce his intention to contest the post.

Delia, a lawyer by profession, had served as leader of the Nationalist Party in 2017, after the resignation of Simon Busuttil. He had won that leadership race with 52.7% of the vote, and had contested against PN MP Chris Said.

Delia, while Opposition Leader, had initiated the court case which eventually resulted in the hospitals deal contracts being annulled by the courts.

However his run as party leader at the time saw internal divisions form within the PN. Delia eventually lost two confidence votes, one within the PN’s parliamentary group and the other in the Executive Committee. This resulted in a leadership election taking place within the party in 2020, which Bernard Grech had won.

Delia, over the past years, was seen to be behind Bernard Grech while the latter was leading the party, as Grech gave him a more front-bench role within the party, in what was seen as an attempt to unite the party. Delia had pledged his loyalty and support to Grech as leader in 2020, just after the internal election. Delia was seen to have been making inroads within the party over recent years, especially after the conclusion of the hospitals deal court case.

Grech announced his resignation on 10 June this year, and the PN’s Electoral Commission officially opened its call for those interested in contesting the leadership post last Sunday. The declarations of interest period will remain open until 29 June.

It had previously been reported by the Times of Malta, citing sources, that Delia and Gozitan MP Alex Borg, another person who was touted as a possible leadership contender, had agreed not to contest against each other. Recent surveys had placed Borg as the most popular possible candidate, with Delia as the second most popular.