Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil yesterday confirmed his intention to contest the election for the PN’s deputy leader post while laying out a platform of change.

The PN needs to win the next election to pursue this change... now, more than ever

“I believe in real change but I feel that with the Labour Party we will only get an artificial change,” he said in a press statement.

The post of deputy leader has been vacated by Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg who has been nominated to become Malta’s man in the European Commission, after John Dalli’s resignation.

Dr Busuttil said he was convinced the PN was the best instrument for change in the country but he also wanted to contribute to the “renewal of the party itself”.

The PN, he said, needed to win the next general election “to pursue this change” and therefore it also needed all the help it could get, “now, more than ever”.

“I therefore want to offer my help and I appeal to all those who can help to step forward. I am standing up to be counted and I want to work side by side by Lawrence Gonzi in delivering change,” said Dr Busuttil, who was in March appointed as the Prime Minister’s special delegate.

Dr Busuttil said he looked forward to a “tough but loyal competition” in the election to be held between November 29 and December 2.

He said this should be a contest among friends which brings out the best the PN had to offer, a process he said would be good for the party and country.

On Friday, the Nationalist MEP held meetings with the MPs who have distanced themselves from the PN this year, namely Jesmond Mugliett and independent MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando.

He also talked about a spontaneous meeting with backbencher Franco Debono, after which he said he would favour reconciliation with the dissenter as long as everyone shouldered their responsibilities – a statement which prompted the PN to clarify that it was “not for turning” on this matter.

Asked whether he held these meetings with the blessing of the Prime Minister, Dr Busuttil yesterday said he had no further comment to make except to say that he was meeting “as many people as possible”.

Dr Debono yesterday used his blog to praise Dr Busuttil for the “courage and vision” he was showing, saying the Nationalist MEP seemed to be a “uniting force”.

Until last night, Dr Busuttil remained the only party official to have formally announced his candidature.

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech yesterday said he was “seriously considering the possibility of contesting”, though he still had to decide whether he could handle the contest and the upcoming Budget.

“It is positive that Simon is contesting. The party needs a contest,” he added.

Meanwhile, Tourism and Culture Minister Mario De Marco, cited as a potential frontrunner, has not yet declared whether he intends to throw his hat into the ring. He told The Sunday Times yesterday that he wished Dr Busuttil “all the very best of ­success”.

“I am sure he has all the right characteristics to be a very valid candidate,” he said.

Justice Minister Chris Said also refused to declare his intentions, while efforts to contact MP Beppe Fenech Adami, also mentioned as a potential candidate, proved futile.

Meanwhile, party whip David Agius, who was rumoured to be considering the contest, told The Sunday Times he was backing Dr Busuttil.

Nominations are open until November 14.