None of the probable contenders for the Nationalist Party’s deputy leadership are declaring their intentions, amid questions over whether the internal election is ill-timed.
As the executive committee is expected to launch the internal election process tomorrow, PN sources told The Sunday Times there are indications the party wants it over as soon as possible so its machinery can focus on the general election.
The process was set in motion after deputy leader Tonio Borg was nominated as EU Commissioner in the wake of John Dalli’s resignation.
According to the PN’s statute, the party must elect a deputy leader within two months of the post becoming vacant.
However, general secretary Paul Borg Olivier said it is highly unlikely that the election would take eight weeks.
Timing is one of the most important considerations to be discussed in tomorrow’s executive meeting. Apart from electoral timeframes, there are other considerations, including the presentation of the Budget and the festive season – normally an out-of-bounds period for politics.
The executive also has to examine whether the timing might be interpreted as giving an advantage to certain candidates as the Budget time puts extra pressure on some candidates and also makes some more visible.
Several PN officials who spoke to The Sunday Times on condition of anonymity, identified six potential candidates.
These are ministers Jason Azzopardi, Mario de Marco, Tonio Fenech, Chris Said, Parliamentary Assistant Beppe Fenech Adami and MEP Simon Busuttil.
Contacted individually, all six had an almost identical response: they are keeping all options open but have not yet taken a final decision.
A party insider said: “Remember, this is an internal election. Popularity on the national level does not necessarily reflect itself among the 900 PN councillors who at the end of the day hold the decisive vote.”
Although in the case of an eventual leadership contest, Dr de Marco and Dr Busuttil are the clear frontrunners, it is not yet clear whether the two will contest the deputy leadership.
Another option being mentioned in the current scenario is that the vacancy could be occupied by an old hand, such as MP Francis Zammit Dimech, who would act as a stop-gap until the next general election.
In this eventuality, there would be no contest even though the deputy leader would still need the support of two-thirds of the councillors to take up his new role.
Party officials also mentioned a third way, although this is the most unlikely.
The election of deputy leader could be transformed into a contest for the election of a designate leader with Dr Gonzi making a declaration he would step down after the next election.
Before taking over from George Borg Olivier in 1978, Eddie Fenech Adami had been elected designate leader a year earlier. However, a veteran party councillor said: “The difference is that Dr Fenech Adami was elected after an electoral defeat and not before.”