Charlo' Bonnici to seek PN general secretary post
New Nationalist MP Charlo' Bonnici, 41, of Attard has submitted his nomination for the election of PN general secretary.
Mr Bonnici said he understood that his nomination could have come as a surprise to some people, as he had been thinking about the possibility silently. However a number of members of the PN executive had urged him to contest, giving him the final push to go ahead.
"Once I decided to enter the political arena and committed myself to the party and the country, I feel I can contribute more," he said.
He said he viewed the role of a general secretary as being two-pronged, the political and the organisation. He would work to improve the party's organisation within localities, where a revamp was needed every few years, and he would seek to encourage more people to come forward to serve. At the same time he would also seek to build new bridges with PN supporters who had distanced themselves from the party over the past few years.
Mr Bonnici was elected to the House for the first time on March 8, having previously served as deputy mayor of Attard.
He is a former chairman of the MaltaSong board and served on the secretariat of former Education Minister Louis Galea, himself a former PN general secretary.
The election for general secretary is also expected to be contested by Valletta mayor Paul Borg Oivier and PN acting information secretary Jean-Pierre Debono.
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Joseph Grech-Attard
Jun 18th 2008, 01:28
Good luck to the three nominations. May the one to be elected be more morally and ethically educated than the one who is leaving who for him "The end JUSTIFIES the means."
Charles J Buttigieg
Jun 17th 2008, 21:52
@A.Gauci Cunningham and other PN sympathisers.
Now how will it sound to you if I, an MLP supporter, suggests that the charismatic, bright star young lawyer ,Dr.Paul Borg-Olivier is more suited to become the Secretary General of the PN ? Moreover how would you answer to a suggestion to elect the man / woman at a General Council meeting rather than by a group of 36 incumbents? Would you ask me to mind my own business? Of course you wouldn’t …..How could you?
Silvan Cutajar
Jun 17th 2008, 21:43
I would like Charlo` to be elected
C. Grima
Jun 17th 2008, 21:01
Dr Lawrence Gonzi should pick the General Secretary himself so that they will be 'HOBZA U SIKKINA'. The General Secretary should resign his post as soon as Dr Gonzi is no more the Leader of the party.
A.Gauci Cunningham
Jun 17th 2008, 20:24
@david gatt----New found admiration for Joe Saliba?? Now?? Before he leaves the scene??...................sorry thats as hypocritical as those Nationalists who started"admiring" Sant as soon as he said he was going to resign!!
........Thanks Joe you have proved to be one of the PN's best assets.....2 electoral victories and another victory at a referendum!!!!.
............Charlo is young but young is not enough we need somebody as good as Joe with a good electoral strategy AND a person who is media savvy and could attract as many new voters as possible...............as long as we persevere and include all those who feel left out the PN will remain Malta's natural choice!!
Good luck Charlo!!!
Alex Pace
Jun 17th 2008, 20:12
It does not make sense for a parliamentarian to be considered for the post of General Secretary. The two roles carry different obligations towards the public and are not compatible with each other.
Joseph Caruana
Jun 17th 2008, 19:42
@ David Gatt.
Time will tell if they are all worse than Joe Saliba. Before appointment few would have bet on Joe Saliba.
Silvan Said
Jun 17th 2008, 19:36
Charlo' has consistently demonstrated commitment, leadership and competence in all the public roles he has occupied so far. I am sure he will make a great general secretary for the PN.
It is important that the PN also renews itself just as the labour party is trying to do under its new leadership. This does not mean ousting valid people but gradually handing over to new faces in the polictical arena and entrusting them with important roles.
Go for it Charlo'
James Caruana
Jun 17th 2008, 18:58
Pierre Portelli should contest the election. He'd be far better in this position.
John Abela
Jun 17th 2008, 18:46
Charlo would be a good choice but Paul Borg Olivier would be even better... PBO has the required political experince that the posts requires.
David Gatt
Jun 17th 2008, 18:25
@Joseph Caruana
I think all 3 up till now are worse than Joe Saliba
Hubert Zammit
Jun 17th 2008, 17:26
I agree that he would be a valid choice..........the best of the three. There is just one drawback though.......that he is an MP.
John Saliba
Jun 17th 2008, 16:51
I have been living in South Africa for the past 23 years so there is no way that I can express an opinion regarding the merits of those contesting this high and important position. However, I firmly believe that our Party should stick to the winning formula that yielded results. The reason why Joe Saliba (no relation of mine) has given the Party three successive victories is mainly due to the fact that he never intended to stand as a Nationalist candidate and thus his sole ambition was to ensure that the Nationalist Party won the General Elections. Mr. Bonnici chose to direct his commitment to the Party and at the same time contribute to the country. I wish him every success in achieving his goals and aspirations for our beloved country. Please understand that this is not meant as an attack on this new MP, but is an opinion soley based on my love for our Party. Yes, together a fourth consecutive electoral victory is achievable.
Paul Muscat
Jun 17th 2008, 16:47
Although Charlo Bonnici would be up for the post I still think that Paul Borg Olivier has the poltical background and experience that the post requires
Joseph Caruana
Jun 17th 2008, 16:22
I think Charlo' is the best from the 3 till now. In any case all of them are better than Jason Micallef