Gonzi expected to become new PN leader tonight

Lawrence Gonzi is this evening set to become the Nationalist Party's new leader after winning the absolute majority of votes in the first round of the leadership election last Saturday.

This afternoon, over 850 councillors are being called for the second time to vote for Eddie Fenech Adami's successor following his decision to step down from the party leadership. The result is expected at about 10.30 p.m.

Finance Minister John Dalli, who placed second with 25 per cent of the vote last Saturday, pulled out of the race and third placed Education Minister Louis Galea was eliminated.

The councillors are now being asked whether they want Dr Gonzi to be the next party leader.

Dr Gonzi needs to get two-thirds of the vote.

Last Saturday, he obtained 508 votes (59.3 per cent), Mr Dalli polled 219 votes (25.3 per cent) and Dr Galea received 133 (15.4 per cent) of the councillors' votes.

Four votes were declared invalid.

If Dr Gonzi gets two thirds of the votes, he would immediately take over as party leader and, eventually, will also succeed Dr Fenech Adami as Prime Minister.

Dr Fenech Adami has so far hinted he would step down as head of government soon but has not specified a date.

The race for the party deputy leadership has started, with sources saying Dr Galea, Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg, Transport Minister Censu Galea and Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech are already working on their campaigns.

In this case too, the successful candidate would need to obtain two-thirds of the valid votes to be elected.