Zammit Dimech to contest PN leadership

Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech is expected to contest the post of Nationalist Party leader once the Prime Minister, Dr Eddie Fenech Adami, decides to call it a day.

Well-informed sources told The Sunday Times that Dr Zammit Dimech would be one of three to four candidates expected to battle it out for the top post.

This news follows an article in yesterday's The Times which reported that Dr Fenech Adami was considering leaving his post "sooner than thought", possibly within weeks.

Dr Fenech Adami, one of the longest serving heads of government in Europe, could be nominated to be the next President of the Republic when Professor Guido de Marco's term expires on April 3.

The government did not issue any reaction to the story yesterday.

Nationalist Party sources said the lobbying game was stepping into top gear with the two front-runners for Dr Fenech Adami's being Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Finance Minister John Dalli.

However, sources said Dr Zammit Dimech was determined to put up a fight.

The affable 49-year-old lawyer from St Julian's contested his first general election in 1981 and was elected president of the PN's Youth Movement in 1985.

His performance in recent general elections has been quite impressive. He was elected to Parliament in 1987 from the ninth district and in 1992 from the tenth district.

Dr Zammit Dimech was re-elected to Parliament in 1996, 1998 and 2003. In the last three elections he was elected from two districts obtaining 4,582 first preference votes in 1998 and 4,307 last year.

Yet he had failed to get elected when he contested the post of PN deputy leader in 1999, after Professor de Marco became President. That contest was won by Dr Gonzi.

Contacted for comment, Dr Zammit Dimech would not confirm nor deny his interest in contesting the party leadership.

"At this stage there is no vacancy and the issue will only be relevant if and when the Prime Minister makes such a decision," he said.

Sources said Government and IT Minister Austin Gatt was showing no interest in the PM's job even if his leadership qualities led many to believe he would be a strong contender for the post.

Justice Minister Tonio Borg and Education Minister Louis Galea could decide to make a bid for the leadership at a later stage, according to party sources.

A number of individuals were also reportedly holding back in order to contest for the deputy leadership post, should this become vacant.