European Commissioner and former PN leadership contender John Dalli has declined to state his intentions regarding the leadership race called for by Lawrence Gonzi, who beat him to the post in 2004.
“Commissioner Dalli does not wish to comment on this,” his spokesman told The Times, when asked if he was considering entering the fray again or ruling out his participation.
MEP Simon Busuttil, Tourism Minister Mario de Marco and MP Beppe Fenech Adami have all clearly said they would support Dr Gonzi rather than challenge him, even though they have in the past been tipped as potential candidates for the job.
Meanwhile, Nationalist MP Franco Debono, who sparked the political crisis by calling for Dr Gonzi’s resignation, has also confirmed he will “definitely not” join the leadership contest.
Earlier this month, Mr Dalli – a critic of Dr Gonzi – was “closely” following the political crisis as it unfolded but refused to give his views and denied having any links with Dr Debono.
Last year, however, he had spoken openly about how the situation within the PN had “deteriorated”, his comments bearing striking similarities to those raised by Dr Debono later on.
Mr Dalli had said many Nationalists were disenchanted because the party lacked debate and left many people feeling like they had no value. He also called for politicians to shoulder their responsibilities.
Mr Dalli was appointed Foreign Affairs Minister in Dr Gonzi’s first Cabinet but resigned a few months later amid allegations, later disproved, into the award of contracts for medical equipment and airline ticketing.
In 2007, Dr Gonzi admitted the accusations had been disproved and appointed Mr Dalli as a personal consultant.
After the 2008 election, Dr Gonzi appointed him Health and Social Policy Minister but later nominated him as Malta’s EU Commissioner.
Dr Debono has maintained his “no comment” stance when asked about the latest developments. Dr Gonzi called for a leadership contest in response to Dr Debono’s call for his resignation and the fact that the MP abstained on the vote on the Opposition’s no-confidence motion.
Sources told The Times that mediation efforts between the PN and Dr Debono had not made much progress but Dr Gonzi’s latest remarks, where he admitted that mistakes had been made, could start to move things forward.
Dr Debono has not said yet what he will do on future votes in Parliament.