The PN’s new and old leaders embrace after the election result. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

The new leader of the Nationalist Party, Simon Busuttil, yesterday pledged to turn the PN into a people’s party by opening up and reaching out to regain the nation’s trust and respect.

Addressing PN councillors soon after he was elected as leader with nearly 93 per cent of their votes, Dr Busuttil admitted he knew a lot was expected of him but called on people to join him in rebuilding a united party.

Dr Busuttil, 44, is a former MEP and a European law expert. He succeeds Lawrence Gonzi who spent nine years at the helm of the party.

He told PN supporters: “I can understand that you are hurt after the electoral result but I have faith that this party will once again become a winning party.

“But before that, it has to be a united party. The doors to our headquarters are wide open. Come and give your contribution.”

He appealed to supporters, MPs and councillors to go door-to-door to reach out to as many people as possible.

“We can achieve good results if the party becomes the people’s party,” he insisted, as he appealed to its members not to forget their own people because “Nationalists cannot be taken for granted”.

Dr Busuttil said the party must rebuild itself and prepare for the next challenges, starting with the European Parliament elections.

He was overwhelmingly approved as leader in yesterday’s second round of the leadership contest following Saturday’s poll, after which fellow contenders Mario de Marco, who placed second, and Francis Zammit Dimech pulled out. The other contestant, Raymond Bugeja, was eliminated.

In yesterday’s election there were 18 invalid votes cast and another 61 councillors voted against Dr Busuttil.

‘The future of this party is bright’

Dr de Marco has said he does not intend contesting the election for the party’s deputy leadership post, although Dr Busuttil hinted he should reconsider. MPs Beppe Fenech Adami and Claudette Pace have already confirmed their intention to run.

Asked about this next contest in a press conference later, Dr Busuttil said Dr de Marco should be respected for the result he achieved in the leadership race and would make a “very good” deputy leader, as would others who are being mentioned for the post.

His predecessor, Lawrence Gonzi, also addressed yesterday’s general council in his last speech as leader. He said the first duty of the new leadership was to ensure that whatever Malta achieved under successive PN governments would not be lost.

“We are proud of what we gave our country. We gave our all to the country; our loyalty, our health and our determination. The future of this party is bright,” he said as he promised Dr Busuttil his unconditional loyalty and support.

Dr Gonzi’s tenure ended when he lost the March 9 general election to Labour, which swept to victory with a massive 37,000 majority.

However, yesterday he was not allowing it to get him down, saying: “We are in politics out of a sense of duty and service to our country, an altruistic service.”

The most important thing in life was not to get disheartened: “If you fall don’t stay there and complain but get up and walk again,” he said to deafening applause and a standing ovation.

Dr Busuttil later said the report on the heavy electoral defeat would be drawn up by the end of the month and would be discussed at a special general conference.

Asked how he could guarantee change, Dr Busuttil said change was already there with the existence of a new leadership.

“I want meaningful change because it is this that will make the difference. We have to change our approach, our attitude,” he said.

He said he would summon a parliamentary group meeting on his first day as leader.

The Labour Party congratulated Dr Busuttil, urging him to embark on a politics of unity, maturity and cooperation with the Government in the country’s interest.