The nomination of Nationalist deputy leader Tonio Borg to the prestigious post of EU Commissioner was seen by some in the PN as an opportunity to show the party was prepared to embark on a process of renewal before the general election.
But, as The Times had warned a fortnight ago, developments in recent days show there is a big chance that the upcoming contest for party deputy leader will do more harm to the Nationalist Party than good.
The nominations for PN deputy leader closed last Wednesday, with Finance Minister Tonio Fenech pitted against MEP Simon Busuttil. The only thing as bad as a two-horse race would have been a no contest.
For all the clichéd statements that this will be a battle between friends and despite promises of fair campaigns, realists know it will be a bitterly fought affair which is set to bruise the party at a very delicate hour.
The Sunday Times reported last weekend that no less than seven Cabinet ministers have endorsed Mr Fenech for the post, making the Finance Minister the potential frontrunner in the November 30 election.
Mr Fenech has credentials. He has successfully steered the economy through the most turbulent times Europe has seen and is widely credited for a number of difficult reforms such as the introduction of the euro and the restructuring of Air Malta.
On the other hand, Dr Busuttil is one of the most popular Maltese politicians of his generation. In 2009, he obtained a record 28 per cent of the national vote, the highest percentage score in the EU, despite defeat for the PN. Renowned as a hard worker, he has also earned a good reputation in the European Parliament.
But the qualities of both candidates risk being relegated as internal politics takes over in the days that remain for the 900 PN councillors to cast their vote.
Not for the first time during the course of this legislature, the PN has managed to put itself in a difficult position with no assistance from the Opposition.
Should Dr Busuttil win the contest he will find himself in the uncomfortable position of knowing he has no real backing from current Cabinet members as well as having beaten a candidate who occupies one of the most unenviable posts in government.
Should Mr Fenech be successful, he would have ousted a hugely popular figure chosen by the Prime Minister as a special delegate to build bridges with disgruntled voters – who would have been a very beneficial asset during the general election campaign.
How will that be possible if his party rejects him?
With just a few months to go till the next general election, the Nationalist Party should have been working – especially after so much unrest on a small section of its backbench – to launch a vigorous campaign as a united party.
The party should have equipped Lawrence Gonzi with a team of heavyweights around him, including Mr Fenech, Dr Busuttil, Mario de Marco, Chris Said and Beppe Fenech Adami.
Instead, the PN risks eclipsing an important Budget presented just two days before the contest, and splitting the party into yet another faction – as if it has not suffered enough as a result of this in the past five years.
The wisdom of this strategy is highly questionable, though unlike other decisions there is no turning back.
Labour may turn out to be the lucky recipient of an early Christmas present, scarcely at a time when the PN could afford to be giving one.