With Lawrence Gonzi due to be elected leader of the Nationalist Party on Wednesday, the party is soon expected to start the process leading to the election of his replacement as deputy leader, party sources said yesterday.

The sources indicated that Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg was expected to be one of the main contenders, with other possible contenders being Education Minister Louis Galea, who contested the leadership race, and Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech.

Government Investments Minister Austin Gatt, who had also been seen as a possible candidate for leader, is unlikely to contest for the post of deputy.

It is not yet known whether Finance Minister John Dalli, who came second in the leadership bid, will make a pitch for the deputy leadership, as happened when Dr Fenech Adami was elected leader and Prof. Guido de Marco, his leadership rival, became his deputy. Tradionally, the new deputy leader is also appointed deputy prime minister.

Dr Gonzi had been deputy prime minister and deputy leader since 1999, following the resignation of Prof. de Marco, who was elected President.

Dr Galea, Dr Zammit Dimech and former economic services minister Josef Bonnici had also contested the deputy leadership five years back.

The process for the election of a deputy leader is very similar to that of the leader of the party and a candidate has to win two-thirds of the valid votes in the first round to be successful. When no candidate achieves 66 per cent of support, the candidate with the least number of votes is eliminated and another round of voting takes place. When no candidate achieves the required majority, a fresh call for nominations is made and the process starts afresh.