Electing a new PN leader

All eyes will be focused on the Nationalist Party’s headquarters in Pietà on Saturday to see who the 900 councillors choose to lead the party to the 2018 general election. There is always a lot of talk about these councillors, but who are they and how...

Photo: Paul Spiteri Lucas

Matthew Agius, 24

Voting for Mario de Marco

I believe the chosen one will be the person who councillors can identify with most. I don’t think there’s anything like the party machine – especially now after the electoral loss – pushing one person over the other.

Also, on a governmental level, Mario de Marco was one of the ministers who delivered most positively. He had a very important role in the campaign.

Dr de Marco will be the right bridge between the PN, the liberals and conservatives. He is able to reach out to people from different strata of society, in particular to those who traditionally voted PN but this time round did not feel comfortable to do this.

The fact that polls show he is popular with Labour supporters does not bother me at all – it encourages me.

He inspires not just Nationalist supporters but those who challenge [Prime Minister] Joseph Muscat.

I believe he will introduce to the party a more open-door policy.

I can see a style of campaign that is very “open”. This openness, the fact that he can listen to people and that when it comes to a decision, he combines both, is what makes him stand out from the other contenders.

Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Christabelle Ebejer, 28

Voting for Simon Busuttil

The electoral defeat was the defeat of the party and we all had a part in it – including us councillors. It is the time to pull the same rope and move forward together; this is Dr Busuttil’s spirit.

I’ve had the opportunity to see Dr Busuttil at work with civil society and he was a true leader: open to dialogue in a calm and respectful manner and always managing to find a solution. That has earned him respect.

I believe he’s appealing to those who come from different realities and different generations. There are sides to him people don’t see: his son is doing O levels at the moment and despite being in the middle of a campaign he still makes sure he’s there for him every day.

When it comes to taking a decision, Dr Busuttil has the necessary wisdom and maturity to know not just how to take it, but when. As a party maybe that was one of the areas where we failed – we took the right decisions but not in the correct manner.

I believe he presents a threat to Muscat: I think there is nobody better than Dr Busuttil who can be a match for him.

He is incredibly loyal, hard-working and seriously committed to making the PN a better, united party.

Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Richard Scicluna, 72

Voting for Ray Bugeja

I’ve known Mr Bugeja for a long time as we were neighbours in Sliema. I was very pleased to learn he was joining the race.

He is a family man and once he even got [the Italian singer] Albano for a surprise party for his sister.

He is an extremely nice person who does a lot for charity, but he’s not boastful. He is honest and straightforward and when you’re in politics that’s not easy.

I think he’s encountering some obstacles in the party because they cannot relate to an outsider – but that’s politics. It’s true no one knows him as much as I do, but I am trying to convince people all the time; there will be councillors who’ll vote for him.

I really think he’ll be a good match for Muscat come election time – he’ll be brilliant. Keep in mind in that in his business he has had to face people in top positions; he has plenty of experience in finance and administration, he’s a workaholic and what he does comes from the heart.

I know all the four candidates well but he’s the best of them all: Ray Bugeja is the right man at the right time.

Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina

Tiziana Grima, 29

Voting for Francis Zammit Dimech

This time round we are looking for a stronger leader to take us to the next level – especially after the last election. I never imagined such a landslide, I expected a defeat but not like this. I think each and every one of us could have done more to reduce the gap in the result.

When Dr Zammit Dimech called me and asked if he should contest, I encouraged him as I believe he is a very valid person. I’ve known him for a long time in politics and we’ve seen him in [former Prime Minister] Eddie Fenech Adami’s Cabinet and more recently in Lawrence Gonzi’s.

His aim was always to be loyal and close to the people. He makes you feel comfortable, he listens and is interested in what everyone has to say; these qualities make him stand out.

He’ll be 63 in five years’ time but he’ll still be a good match for Joseph Muscat.

I don’t think age is an issue – it’s the direction that counts. He seems to be doing quite well with councillors’ support.

As councillors, we are all the time discussing the best outcome of this leadership election, but everyone is relaxed: the tension is not about who will be party leader but where the party wants to go.