The race for the vacant post of deputy leader of the Nationalist Party opened yesterday with Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech submitting the first nomination.

Early in the afternoon, Dr Zammit Dimech went to the party's headquarters and handed his nomination to PN secretary general Joe Saliba, who said that without a number of candidates taking part in this race, there would not be the choice that was important in a democracy.

Speaking to the media just after submitting his nomination, Dr Zammit Dimech said he felt it was his duty to contest the post of deputy leader after 30 years working within the party. He mentioned the various posts he held during this span.

Yesterday also saw Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg announcing his intention to hand his nomination for the post. Dr Zammit Dimech said as a gesture of their friendship, both men decided to be the first person to nominate each other.

The minister said once he took the decision to participate in the deputy leadership election, he informed newly elected PN leader Lawrence Gonzi.

"I promised him my loyalty," he said. He stressed that he and Dr Gonzi have always worked as a team.

Dr Zammit Dimech said the theme of his campaign - Working Together as One Team - stresses the grandness of the PN, which is made up of different people with various abilities who can represent different sectors of society, but who are able to work together as one team. He compared the party to a mosaic, with each small part contributing to the richness of the whole.