Updated 12.30 a.m. Friday
Nationalist Party councillors will vote for a new leader on May 4 and nominations will be accepted between April 2nd and 5th, it was announced tonight, after a five-hour PN executive meeting at the party's headquarters.
Meanwhile, an analysis about the party's electoral defeat will be compiled by May 31 by a commission to be headed by maritime lawyer Ann Fenech, who was recently urged to contest for the top post but declined.
Initial leaks from the meeting claimed the election would be held on May 8 but after further discussions it was decided that this date would instead be reserved for the second round of votes if neither candidate manages to obtain the two-thirds majority required to be elected. The decision must be taken by May 10, even if a third vote is taken.
PN's current leader Lawrence Gonzi, who has now been sworn in as interim Opposition leader, announced he would not be seeking re-election soon after leading his party to a historical defeat at the polls, giving the Labour Party a nine-seat majority in Parliament.
Potential leadership candidates have yet to declare their intentions but heavyweights Simon Busuttil, Mario de Marco and Beppe Fenech Adami have all been mentioned as possible contenders. Newly elected MP Claudette Buttigieg is reportedly also eyeing the top post.
Sources said a discussion was held about whether to open the voting to party members rather than just the around 900 councillors but this idea was rejected.
Dr Gonzi told the press that the PN was open to this idea but decided to prioritise the national interest which meant creating a functioning opposition as soon as possible. Opening the contest would have required a lengthy discussion, a report about the consequences of such a move as well as changes to the statute - a process that could have taken more than a year, he said.
Besides a new leader, the PN will soon also have to elect a new deputy leader and general secretary since incumbents Dr Busuttil and Paul Borg Olivier both declared they would not seek re-election for their respective positions.
The deputy leader contest will take place on May 25, with nominations accepted between May 11th and 14th. A second vote could take place on May 29 and a third on June 1, if none of the candidates achieve two-thirds of the vote.
The election for party officials, including that of general secretary, will be held on June 5 by the executive, not the councillors.
Dr Gonzi said the dates were structured in a way to allow all new posts to be decided by the beginning of summer. Meanwhile, the new leader will be able to start implementing the recommendations of the report about the party's defeat from the first general council.
CASUAL ELECTIONS
The PN executive also decided which seats would be vacated by candidates elected on two districts. Dr Gonzi will vacate his seat on the second district, Dr Busuttil and Robert Arrigo will vacate their seats on the ninth district, George Pullicino will vacate his seat on the 10th district, Joe Cassar will vacate his seat on the 11th district and Tonio Fenech will vacate his seat on the 12th district.
The PN appointed an electoral commission to be headed by former MP Censu Galea and composed of David Casa, Boris Xerri, Joe Pace Asciak, Margaret Mercieca, Benjamin Pule and Herbert Messina Ferrante.
The report to analyse the party's defeat will be drawn up by Dr Fenech, Simon Mercieca, Maryanne Lauri, Malcolm Custo and Rosette Thake.