PN gearing up for deputy leadership election

The dust has barely settled on the Nationalist Party leadership election but another race is about to begin.

The party is expected to vote for its deputy leader on March 19 provided, as expected, Lawrence Gonzi obtains two-thirds of the councillors' votes tomorrow night to be elected leader.

Dr Gonzi will vacate his deputy leader post after obtaining the majority of votes during last Saturday's conference.

PN general council president Victor Scerri said the party executive was expected to meet in the coming days to decide when to hold the general council, which in all probability will be held on March 19.

The same procedure as for the party leadership will apply, Dr Scerri explained, with nominations closing 10 days before the general council.

The selected candidate will have to obtain two-thirds of the councillors' votes, with the election going to a second round a few days later if none of the aspirants succeeds in doing this.

A number of MPs' names are already being touted for the post of deputy leader. Sources close to the PN said that Justice Minister Tonio Borg, Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech, Education Minister Louis Galea and Transport Minister Censu Galea were expected to submit their names.

When contacted, all the ministers kept their cards to their chest and remained non-committal.

Dr Borg told The Times that he was "speaking to certain individuals and a decision would be taken at the opportune moment".

Mr Galea would only say that at this stage he was "considering the possibility of contesting".

Equally, Dr Galea said he would "continue to consider how best to be of service to the party and to the nation".

Despite gaining the least number of votes during Saturday's election, Dr Galea's popularity received a boost during his campaign for the leadership, according to PN sources.

Dr Zammit Dimech said he would like to be part of one team that works closely together in the interest of the party and the country.

"And in view of that, yes, I am considering putting my name forward for the election," he said.

It is not yet clear whether two other party heavyweights - IT Minister Austin Gatt and Finance Minister John Dalli - will submit their names, though party sources said this was unlikely.

Mr Dalli had focused all his energies on winning the party's top post but gained just 25 per cent of the vote last Saturday.

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

Dr Galea and Dr Zammit Dimech had also contested the deputy leadership election five years ago.