Updated 10.50 a.m.
Outgoing Nationalist Party leader Lawrence Gonzi is optimistic for the future of the party he has steered for the past nine years and which today chooses a new head.
I am proud of what has been achieved during my tenure
“This is an important moment for the PN. It is a necessary process for a political party that understands the need for change, the need for a new approach and the need to continue to be of service to the country,” Dr Gonzi told Times of Malta.
Dr Gonzi was elected leader of the PN in March 2004, beating former PN heavyweights John Dalli and Louis Galea. He became Malta’s first prime minister in the EU-era, successfully steered the introduction of the euro, and against all odds won the 2008 election, albeit with a wafer-thin majority.
The final months of his tenure were riddled with backbench unrest until the Labour Party was elected to Government in a landslide victory on March 9.
Dr Gonzi announced he was assuming total responsibility for the defeat and was stepping down from the party leadership.
How have these nine years been for him?
“I am proud of what has been achieved during my tenure of office. Malta is a successful country and hopefully it will continue to succeed in the future. I am also grateful to all those who worked closely and loyally with me and with the party,” he told Times of Malta.
Today PN councillors will cast their first vote to elect their new leader, choosing between Ray Bugeja, Simon Busuttil, Mario de Marco and Francis Zammit Dimech. If none of the four contenders receive two thirds of the votes today, another vote will be taken on Wednesday after the bottom placed candidate is eliminated.
Dr Gonzi expressed optimism about the new leadership.
“The new team will bring a fresh way of doing things and a new enthusiasm to address present and future challenges. As always, the task will not be easy, but the experience, expertise and genuine commitment of all the candidates augur well for the party and for the country. Whoever is elected will have my full and unconditional support,” he said.
Asked about his future plans, Dr Gonzi said he would announce his decisions once the party finalised its change process. But in an interview with The Sunday Times of Malta recently, the 59-year-old lawyer indicated he would be stepping down from local parliament.
Meanwhile, a Facebook tribute page elicited hundreds of comments of support for Dr Gonzi, especially for the way he steered the economy despite turbulent times.
Voting started this morning at 10 a.m. and continues till 9 p.m.
Dr Gonzi will vote at 11.15 a.m. along with the leadership contenders as well as outgoing general secretary Paul Borg Olivier.
Former leader Eddie Fenech Adami will vote at 1 p.m.
The voting is open for the councillors of the Nationalist Party, who number almost 900. 27 who will be abroad were able to vote last week.
Lawrence Gonzi was elected PN leader on March 3, 2004 when he won 94% of the councillors' support in the second round of voting after the other contestants, John Dalli and Louis Galea, dropped out.
In the first round Dr Gonzi won 59.3% to John Dalli's 25.3% and Galea's 15.4%.