The Nationalist Party today starts accepting nominations from candidates aspiring to become the party’s new leader.

Nominations close on Friday, with the election taking place on May 4. So far, only former Foreign Minister Francis Zammit Dimech and businessman Raymond Bugeja have confirmed their intention to run for the post.

Mr Bugeja is a twice-divorced wealthy businessman who has never been active in the party structures except as a lifelong member.

Other 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.

Former Finance Minister Tonio Fenech has ruled himself out of the race, citing an accusation made by Evarist Bartolo that he received a gift worth €5,000 from a businessman. He denies the claim and the case is in court.

Mr Fenech garnered the largest number of first count votes behind by Lawrence Gonzi and Dr Busuttil in the general election.

He had contested the deputy leadership position after Tonio Borg resigned to take up the post of European Commissioner. Dr Busuttil had won that election on 72.4 per cent of the vote.

The election for party leader will be held among the party’s 900 councillors during an extraordinary general council. A candidate will have to win the support of two-thirds of the council members to be declared elected party leader at the first round.

Should more than two candidates be nominated, the last one will be eliminated and another round of voting will be held, a process that can theoretically be repeated several times. However, the party has set May 10 as the deadline to elect its 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 have both declared they will not seek re-election to their respective positions.

The deputy leader contest will take place on May 25, with nominations accepted between May 11 and 14. 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.

So far, only newly-elected MP Claudette Buttigieg, has declared her firm intention to run for this post. Former Lands Minister Jason Azzopardi and Parliamentary Secretary Clyde Puli are also being mentioned as possible contenders.

The election of party officials, including that of general secretary, will be held on June 5 by the executive, not the councillors. Former Justice Minister Chris Said is being mentioned as a possible candidate for this post.

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