Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said yesterday his decision to stand for the Nationalist Party deputy leader post will give party councillors “a good choice” between him and MEP Simon Busuttil.

Nominations for the post close on Wednesday with the first round of the election scheduled to take place on November 29.

Asked by reporters about his relations with Dr Busuttil, Mr Fenech said: “I am very good friends with Simon and we will remain good friends whatever happens in this election.

“There are other people who could have contested but we are giving PN councillors a good choice. We both have the same ideals and want to work hard for our strong party to remain relevant and strong.”

Mr Fenech said his decision to contest, revealed by The Times yesterday, was motivated by his loyalty to the party.

He said it was an “extremely difficult decision” taken following the thumbs-up he received when the European Commission decided to withdraw its excessive deficit procedure against Malta.

Mr Fenech, 43, said he felt politics was a service and he was prepared to walk with the party in the challenges that lay ahead, the main one being the general election.

Meanwhile, Parliamentary Assistant Beppe Fenech Adami, whose name had been floated as a possible contender, confirmed yesterday he would not be contesting the election.

“I consulted people, including family and friends, and I believe I am more useful to the party if I concentrate my efforts on the eighth electoral district, especially since the party has probably lost (Foreign Minister) Tonio Borg on this district,” he said.

Dr Borg is Malta’s nominee for EU Commissioner.

Asked who of the two candidates he would be supporting, Dr Fenech Adami said he had signed Mr Fenech’s nomination form after being asked to do so.

Dr Busuttil had not asked him to sign his nomination form since Dr Fenech Adami was a possible contender at the time, he pointed out.