Valletta mayor Paul Borg Olivier was yesterday elected as the new general secretary of the Nationalist Party, succeeding Joe Saliba who held the post for nine years.
Dr Borg Olivier, a lawyer by profession, was elected at a meeting of the executive committee with 41 votes, or 68 per cent of the 60 votes cast.
The other contender, newly-elected member of Parliament Charlò Bonnici, a human resources manager who served as private secretary to former education Minister Louis Galea, got 18 votes.
One vote cast was invalid.
Dr Borg Olivier, who has been mayor of the capital city since 1999, expressed his satisfaction at the appointment, saying that his term is coming at a challenging time for the party. The PN will be opening its doors not only to party members but to everyone who wanted to participate in policy-making.
He said he had several priorities for the party, among them introducing a self-critical approach on how it works, the strengthening of the party's regional and sectional committees, updating its communication methods and sending out a message of dialogue.
Dr Borg Olivier thanked Mr Saliba who, he said, led the party to several important victories and also accomplished another dream for the party: The new headquarters.
Meanwhile, Gozitan general election candidate Marthese Portelli was elected president of the PN executive committee with 35 votes. The other contenders for the post, Karol Aquilina and Malcolm Mifsud, netted 15 and 10 votes respectively. Ms Portelli succeeds MP Jean Pierre Farrugia.
Journalist and TV programme presenter Pierre Portelli was elected president of the PN administrative council, succeeding Paula Mifsud Bonnici. Although he was uncontested, in line with the party's statute, the executive committee members were still asked to vote. Of the 59 votes cast, two were invalid, 48 in favour and nine against.
Peter Darmanin was confirmed party treasurer with 52 in favour, five against and two invalid votes.
John Bonello was confirmed as the party's international secretary with 44 votes in favour and 14 against. One vote was invalid.
PN assistant information secretary Jean Pierre Debono, who had been mentioned as a possible contender for the general secretary's job, was elected assistant general secretary with 55 votes in his favour and none against. There were three invalid votes. A total of 58 votes were cast.
All those elected yesterday, including Dr Borg Olivier, will hold their post for two years.