Former PN president Victor Scerri has written to Lawrence Gonzi urging him to reconsider his decision to relinquish his seat in Parliament, after having stepped down as leader of the Nationalist Party.

You bring to the House of Representatives a wealth of experience and perspective the loss of which is not easily affordable to the Maltese people

On May 11, the Times of Malta reported that Dr Gonzi was expected to leave local politics in the following weeks.

Sources close to him had confirmed he had taken the decision to vacate his parliamentary seat to dedicate more time to his family and ease the way for the new PN leadership.

Yesterday, Dr Scerri wrote to Dr Gonzi noting that he had followed his “impassioned statement” in Parliament on the legal and human aspects of recent events, in which people were trying to find a better and safer life for them and their children.

“Your intervention proves not only the experience and success that you had amply demonstrated in your years as Prime Minister, but also your ability to view matters holistically, never ignoring the human dimension at the heart of all policy making. Your presence as an MP enriches the chamber you sit in. You bring to the House of Representatives a wealth of experience and perspective the loss of which is not easily affordable to the Maltese people in general, and to the whole democratic process that we hold so much to heart.”

Dr Scerri said there were strong indications that it was Dr Gonzi’s intention to relinquish his seat in Parliament.

“It is my personal appeal to you, also in the best interest of our country and our people, that you recon-sider this decision. You have always demonstrated beyond any doubt how the real national interest is very close to your heart, and I sincerely hope that you take this appeal in that spirit,” he noted, adding that he was not alone in having this sentiment.