Newly-elected MP Charlo Bonnici will be contesting the post of general secretary of the Nationalist Party.
Mr Bonnici said when contacted yesterday that, although his nomination may have come as a surprise to many, he had been thinking "in silence" about contesting.
He said he was approached by a number of PN executive committee members over the past few days and, given that he had already decided to enter politics and offer his services as an MP, he felt he could contribute even more.
If elected to the post, he said, he would focus on localities and the media, including the new media, because this was sought by many young people. There would also be other issues he would be dealing with eventually.
Asked about his chances, he said he was doing his homework and left the decision to the members of the executive.
Mr Bonnici served as head of secretariat at the ministry of former Education Minister Louis Galea, a former PN general secretary himself and now Speaker of the House of Representatives. Mr Bonnici is a past chairman of Malta Song.
So far, there are no other official nominations for the post but Valletta mayor Paul Borg Olivier has declared his interest and intention to contest. He contested the post unsuccessfully in 1999.
Another possible nomination is by the party's assistant information secretary Jean Pierre Debono.
Mr Debono said yesterday he would definitely be submitting a nomination on Friday but he was still unsure as to which post he would be contesting.
He said he had still not decided whether to contest the post of general secretary. He was discussing the matter with people who could give him good advice and was also conducting his own evaluations, keeping all options open.
Whatever his decision, he would submit a nomination on Friday. He would not say what position he would contest if he decided not to run for general secretary.
Another name being mentioned as a possible contender for the post but who has not yet confirmed his intention to contest is Siġġiewi councillor Karol Aquilina, an election candidate. Efforts to contact him yesterday proved futile.
Other potential candidates who had been considering the post at one time or other but decided not to contest included MEP Simon Busuttil, MP Beppe Fenech Adami and former journalist Pierre Portelli.
Besides Mr Bonnici's, the other nomination received by the party so far is from John Bonello for the post of international secretary. Mr Bonello is the current incumbent.
Nominations close on Friday.