Former Malta-EU Information Centre head Simon Busuttil is being strongly encouraged to contest the MEP elections in June on the Nationalist Party ticket, according to sources.
The PN has started approaching certain individuals who the party believes can best represent it in the European parliament.
With three months to go to the European elections, the PN has started mobilising its resources - the Labour Party and Alternattiva Demokratika candidates have already started campaigning.
Five seats are up for grabs when Malta goes to the polls for its first-ever European elections.
When contacted, PN general secretary Joe Saliba said the candidates for the MEP elections would be announced after the deputy leadership election, due next weekend.
Mr Saliba said the party would probably be fielding eight candidates who were "popular, conversant with EU issues, and a combination of youth and experienced individuals".
According to party sources, Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami approached Dr Busuttil personally to encourage him to cast his name.
However, when contacted, Dr Busuttil would not confirm or deny his interest in the post.
A lawyer by profession, Dr Busuttil specialised in European Affairs and followed developments in the EU on a professional basis since 1994.
After serving as general secretary of the European Movement, in 1999 he was appointed to set up the Malta-EU Information Centre and lead the public communications campaign ahead of Malta's referendum on EU membership.
During the EU negotiations, Dr Busuttil was also a member of Malta's core negotiating group.
Last December, the 34-year-old lawyer became the youngest person ever to be appointed by the President as a Member of the National Order of Merit in recognition of his service to the country.
Former Minister and Water Services chairman Michael Falzon and lawyer Ian Spiteri Bailey have also publicly declared their interest in a candidacy for the PN.
Other names being touted for the elections are journalist Karl Stagno Navarra and former Iva spokesmen Joanna Drake and David Casa.
It is not yet known whether President Guido de Marco will also declare himself a candidate once his term expires next month.