Lawrence Gonzi's leadership of the PN is expected to remain unchallenged after three prominent Nationalists previously mentioned as possible contenders for the post pledged their full allegiance to him.
Yesterday, during the party's extraordinary general council, Dr Gonzi went beyond seeking a vote of confidence when he proposed a leadership contest which he will contest and which will be held by secret ballot.
Through this measure, he said, he was shouldering full political responsibility for decisions, as MP Franco Debono had asked him to do.
"I assume full responsibility as Prime Minister and party leader. It is not enough for me to win backing by a simple acclamation. I turn to the party councillors who elected me leader eight years ago and who confirmed me as leader after the 2008 general election, and open the process for a leadership contest which I will contest along with others who want to run," Dr Gonzi said.
However, three people mentioned at some time or another as having leadership credentials – MEP Simon Busuttil, Tourism Minister Mario de Marco and MP Beppe Fenech Adami – have already ruled out an interest in contesting, at least at this stage.
All three said when contacted that they were behind Dr Gonzi and did not intend challenging him.
"I stand by Dr Gonzi 101 per cent," Dr de Marco said as he pledged not only to vote for him but to support his candidature.
Dr Busuttil said contesting the party leadership race was "not on his radar", adding that he was four-square behind Dr Gonzi.
Dr Fenech Adami said he was supporting Dr Gonzi and had no intention of running for leader. "Dr Gonzi has my full support. I want him as my party leader," he said.
The party's general council met to discuss the crisis created by Dr Debono, the renegade Nationalist MP who abstained during last week's parliamentary vote of no confidence filed by the Opposition. In a press conference after the council met, Dr Gonzi said he had asked the party to set in motion the process towards a leadership contest by secret ballot. He was not resigning, he said and even if he was uncontested, the ballot would still be held.
He had taken the decision because, once the Opposition's motion had been defeated in Parliament, he had a duty to continue to lead the government, he said.
Dr Gonzi insisted again that this was not the right time for the country to face an early election.
He disagreed with the suggestion that his eventual confirmation as party leader would not solve the problem he had in Parliament, where he no longer enjoyed a majority.
"On the contrary, I think this addresses the crux of the matter. Dr Debono gave his reasons for his abstention and I heard every word that he said and gave importance to every word. The speech was based on a call for the shouldering of responsibilities. This is why I assume full responsibility and am the first to admit that some of the decisions taken were wrong while others could have been handled better."
If somebody else was chosen as leader, he said, he would back him or her unconditionally.
Asked whether he would also be asking for the ministers criticised by Dr Debono to assume responsibility, Dr Gonzi replied: "The buck stops here. I shoulder the responsibility of all decisions, including ministerial appointments and the composition of the Cabinet."
Questioned on what he expected Dr Debono to do if he was confirmed as party leader, he said he expected everyone to respect this democratic process by secret ballot.
Dr Gonzi said that in theory the process could take up to two months but he had requested that it be completed sooner. In the meantime, he added, parliamentary business would carry on as planned.
Asked if he had had any contact with Dr Debono, Dr Gonzi said their last contact was last Sunday but there had been mediation and he hoped these contacts would continue.