Lawrence Gonzi yesterday became the new leader of the Nationalist Party after obtaining 808 of the 859 votes cast by PN councillors, which works out to 94.06 per cent.

The result was announced by Joe Borg, the chairman of the PN's electoral commission, in between speeches by the outgoing leader and prime minister Eddie Fenech Adami and Dr Gonzi.

Dr Fenech Adami said he intended to resign from Prime Minister and parliament as soon as the deputy leadership contest was concluded.

He spoke about the changes the country had gone through under his leadership and recalled that, just 27 years ago, the party was fighting to safeguard basic democratic principles, at a time when there had been a gradual but steady erosion of workers' rights and many of the country's important institutions could not function.

Many made personal sacrifices and people died, such as Karin Grech, Nardu Debono and Raymond Caruana.

"They were trying times, tarnished by violence, but we cherished values and stood our ground and I am satisfied we did not abandon our principles when the going was tough," he said to applause.

Dr Fenech Adami said he was "humbly at the forefront in difficult situations. This does not mean I did not err. But I always did what I believed and thought was right. And I ask for forgiveness if I hurt anyone with my actions. I never harboured any grudges against those who did not treat me well and still do so now," he said.

He appealed to supporters to remain loyal to party principles and thanked everyone for their unwavering support.

Dr Fenech Adami's speech was punctuated by incessant applause both inside the hall and on the street outside the PN headquarters, where many supporters gathered and followed the speeches on a big screen.

A beaming Dr Gonzi, flanked by his wife Catherine and with his three children standing behind him, promised to return the confidence councillors had shown in him.

He said he hoped that the way of making politics will change from a confrontational one to one based on dialogue.

The Nationalist Party in government would continue to create jobs, work with social partners and voluntary organisations but would also govern and take the decisions that had to be taken.

The environment would be moved to the top of the agenda, "even if this means taking difficult decisions," he added.

The government would continue to invest in education and to guarantee sustainable welfare and health systems. The government would also continue "to prune where necessary" and to streamline the public sector to ensure that economic development would be facilitated not hindered. He also spoke about the need to instill a sense of discipline, to pay taxes and curb abuse and he urged shipyard workers to deliver in order to ensue the enterprise would become viable.

Dr Gonzi touched upon the implications of EU membership and spoke about how challenges should be turned into opportunities.

He said he wanted women and youths to have a stronger voice within the party and pledged to continue to strengthen the party structures.

"Be proud of what we have done together. It's not I who won. It's all of us. It's a victory for all the party. There are exciting times ahead. Have courage. The future is bright," he said.

In the first round of the leadership election last Saturday, Dr Gonzi obtained 508 votes out of 800 valid votes cast, totalling 59.1 per cent. But as the statute lays down that two thirds are required, another election was held yesterday.

The other two contenders, Louis Galea and John Dalli, garnered 15.5 and 29.4 per cent of the votes respectively. Dr Galea was eliminated and Mr Dalli announced he was withdrawing from the contest in view of the fact that Dr Gonzi had won over 50 per cent of the vote.

Party sources said it was most likely that the candidates to contest the deputy leadership post would be Tonio Borg, Censu Galea, Louis Galea and Francis Zammit Dimech.

Dr Fenech Adami was welcomed by party president Victor Scerri, who hailed him as a "political father figure" who remained consistent with his principles and values at all times.

"Indeed, let me call you a man for all seasons," Dr Scerri said.

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