Nationalist deputy leader Simon Busuttil yesterday presented his formal resignation as a member of the European Parliament to take up his post as a member of the Maltese House of Representatives.

I feel it is my duty to renounce my seat

In his resignation letter to EP president Martin Schultz, Dr Busuttil admitted that he would be missing Brussels but said he was “enthusiastic to contribute towards a strong Opposition in the Maltese Parliament”.

After announcing his decision to contest the local general election, Dr Busuttil had declared he would resign his post in Brussels if elected.

“The electorate elected me to represent them in the Maltese Parliament and I feel it is my duty to renounce my seat in the EP,” he said. Dr Busuttil, who was also elected as the PN’s deputy leader last November, was elected on the two districts he contested in the general election, surpassing even party leader Lawrence Gonzi with the number of first count votes.

Dr Busuttil, who has already declared he will not be re-contesting the position of deputy leader, is considered to be one of the front-runners to take over at the helm from Dr Gonzi. Other contenders being mentioned include Jason Azzopardi, Mario De Marco, Tonio Fenech, Beppe Fenech Adami and Chris Said.

The PN executive will be meeting tomorrow for the first time after the massive defeat at the polls to decide the time frame for the party leadership race.

According to the PN statute, a general council has to confirm its leader within three months from a general election.

Since Dr Gonzi has already announced he will not be presenting his nomination, the PN is expected to elect a new leader by June.