The four likely contenders

The 50-year-old lawyer gained political respect in the 10 years he spent as Speaker of the House of Representatives. He was unanimously re-elected Speaker in 1992.

Perceived as a centre-left politician, Dr Gonzi is seen as a calm and modest person. Born in Valletta in 1953, he graduated in law in 1975. He practised between 1975 and 1988. In 1996, Dr Gonzi successfully contested the general election and a year later he was elected general secretary of the party.

In 1998, Dr Gonzi, who had been working in the sector of persons with a disability for many years, was appointed Social Policy Minister and a few months later, following the nomination of Guido de Marco as President, he was elected deputy leader of the Nationalist Party.

Soft spoken and charismatic, Dr Gonzi always manages to smile irrespective of his mood.

Over the past years, apart from his wide ranging portfolio, Dr Fenech Adami entrusted Dr Gonzi with the crucial reform of the shipyards, a sensitive issue in the EU accession talks which have taken place over the past years.

A staunch Catholic, Dr Gonzi is believed to be Dr Fenech Adami's favourite candidate.

John Dalli

The energetic finance minister was the brains behind the radical overhaul of the taxation system in Malta, including the controversial, but essential, introduction of Value Added Tax.

Perceived as a doer, Mr Dalli is seen as a pragmatic politician who is able to take decisions. He is credited with a range of fiscal reforms, which were crucial for the liberalisation of the economy and preparing the country for EU accession.

Mr Dalli, whose facial expressions depend on his mood, is seen as a centre-right politician. He is seen as the person who introduced radical measures in a bid to curb income tax evasion over the past decade. He is perceived as a strong contender for the leadership bid.

Mr Dalli, 55, is an accountant by profession. Born in Qormi, he was the financial controller of Bluebell and information system manager of Bluebell Europe in Brussels.

He entered politics in the early 1980s and was elected in each election since 1987. He has served as finance minister for two legislatures.

Francis Zammit Dimech

The jolly 49-year-old politician is not viewed as a strong contender for the leadership. He tried his luck for the deputy leadership of the party in 1999 but did not impress the party councillors.

Seen as a Christian Democrat and a loyal minister in Dr Fenech Adami's administration, over the past years Dr Zammit Dimech received harsh criticism for acting slowly on issues related to the protection of the environment and capital projects.

Yet he is highly popular on the ninth and 10th districts, having managed to get elected from both for the past three elections. Though Dr Zammit Dimech is well liked in his districts, which include Sliema, St Julians and Swieqi, few party people see him fit to be the head of government.

A lawyer by profession, Dr Zammit Dimech was one of the young faces who left a positive mark in the first legislature of Dr Fenech Adami in the late 1980s.

Louis Galea

Within the party, nobody underestimates the support Dr Galea still holds at grassroots level. The 56-year-old politician is seen as the person who introduced positive radical changes within the party during his 10-year term as general secretary of the party in the difficult times of the late 1970s and early 1980s. It is not yet clear whether Dr Galea will be entering the leadership race. Sources within the party do not rule out Dr Galea deciding to support one of the two favourite contenders and maybe make a bid for the deputy leadership later on.

If he decides to run for the job, he is likely to attract a substantial number of votes. However, he is not perceived to have enough support to win the race.

A lawyer by profession, Dr Galea has been active in the Nationalist Party since his student days. He has been a senior member of Dr Fenech Adami's Cabinet since 1987 and has been given a number of important portfolios, including education, home affairs, health and social development.

It is yet to be seen whether Dr Galea will decide to make a bid for the top post.