Fenech Adami to resign party leadership

Eddie Fenech Adami will mark his 70th birthday on Saturday with the announcement that he is to step down as Nationalist Party leader after over 25 years at the helm - but he is expected to stay on as prime minister for an interim period after his successor is chosen.

Nationalist Party sources said Dr Fenech Adami would be calling on the party to convene a general council meeting to elect a new leader.

He has been reflecting on whether he should step down for a number of months and the decision is in no way linked to recent political or legal developments, the sources said.

Although his successor will be a fully fledged leader rather than a designate, the sources said it was likely that there would be a "scenario where the PN will have a new leader but Dr Fenech Adami will remain prime minister for an interim period".

The party statute lays down that a general council meeting could either be convened on a decision by the leader or the party executive committee or through a written request by 150 party councillors.

The sources said that although Dr Fenech Adami had decided to initiate the process leading to his succession, it was not yet clear when he would be stepping down from prime minister.

It is expected that the first round of the election of the new leader will take place in the coming weeks, probably before the end of the month.

There is still a possibility that Dr Fenech Adami might be elected President, according to the sources.

"In such a scenario, this could take place in April when President Guido de Marco's term ends. However, if Dr Fenech Adami agrees to be the next President, it is more likely there will be an Acting President.

The issue of the presidency, the historical moments of May 1, when Malta joins the EU, and the European parliament elections will have a bearing on when Dr Fenech Adami steps down as prime minister," the sources said.

Dr Fenech Adami is currently the longest serving head of a European government and has etched his name in history by securing Malta's place in Europe.