Nationalist leader Lawrence Gonzi intends proposing setting up a commission to analyse the reasons behind last week’s general election defeat.

Dr Gonzi yesterday said his intention was to make the proposal at the party’s next executive committee meeting, in line with what the PN had done in 1996 when it last lost a general election.

He was speaking following the first PN parliamentary group meeting following the heavy defeat suffered by the party at the hands of Labour. The PL won the election by 36,000 votes, the worst result for the PN since Malta achieved independence in 1964.

During yesterday’s meeting, the group elected by secret ballot the 13 members to represent it on the party’s executive committee.

Dr Gonzi said the defeat would be discussed at the next executive committee meeting, probably being held next week.

A decision by the executive would also have to be taken on which seats will be given up by candidates elected on two districts. This will pave the way for the casual elections which will see the inclusion of more candidates in the PN parliamentary group.

Dr Gonzi had said immediately after the election that he would be stepping down as PN leader.