Former PN MP Karl Gouder is to run for the party's General Secretary role.

"These are challenging and exciting times, both for myself and the Party," Gouder wrote on social media on Sunday.

He thanked PN Leader Bernard Grech for his trust, and the former PN General Secretary Michael Piccinino for his guidance and leadership over the past three years.

"This is not about me, but about all of us, together," Gouder wrote.

Contacted for comment, Gouder confirmed he is contesting for the role, and said he believes that the country is in "serious need of a change and the only change is that of having a Nationalist government."

"To do this we need to keep on strengthening the party, we need to keep speaking to people and we need to keep convincing people that Malta can be a much better place," Gouder told The Malta Independent.

He said he decided to throw his name in the hat after discussions with Grech and other party officials, as he feels that "together with all the great team at the PN, we really can bring this change for a better country that each and every one of us deserves."

Currently the Chief Operation Officer of the PN's media wing, the 45-year-old, appears to be the frontrunner to replace Piccinino, who stepped down as PN General Secretary to stand as a candidate in the upcoming general election.

There has been no set date for the election, however, Grech announced Sunday morning that a fresh set of candidates for the general election will be presented on the PN's ticket soon.

Gouder was a former Mayor of St Julian's, as well as PN MP between 2010 and 2013, and between 2015 and 2020. He served as the PN's campaign manager during last June's MEP and local council elections.

The PN executive committee will elect the General Secretary through an election, and it is still unclear as to when it will be held.