Sole nomination for PN deputy leader post

Lawrence Gonzi is expected to be confirmed Nationalist Party deputy leader as he was the only person to cast his nomination for the post at the noon deadline yesterday.

Nominations for the post of party president close at lunchtime today. So far, only the incumbent president, Victor Scerri, has cast his nomination.

The PN general council will take place on May 16 and 18. The president will be elected or confirmed on the first day, when 13 representatives of the executive council will also be elected.

PN leader Eddie Fenech Adami and Dr Gonzi are expected to be confirmed on May 18, when the vice-president will also be elected.

The party statute lays down that there must be a general council within three months of an election during which the leader is confirmed and the deputy leader elected. There is no election for the leader unless the incumbent resigns.

After the general council, the party's section committees will then be elected in Malta and Gozo. All such elections will take place before June 1 and the district committees will then each appoint a member to represent them on the executive committee.

Towards the end of June, other party officials, including general secretary, assistant general secretary and international secretary, will be elected.