Four of the six top posts within the Nationalist Party and its internal organs remained uncontested by the time nominations closed yesterday.

Although according to the party statute an election will have to be held anyway, it is safe to say the new PN general secretary will be former Justice Minister Chris Said and the new president of the executive committee, maritime lawyer Ann Fenech, who will be uncontested.

The outgoing deputy general secretary, Jean Pierre Debono, also threw his name in the hat and is uncontested.

The only contender for the post of president of the administrative council is the incumbent Karol Aquilina.

The only elections for which the 70 or so PN executive members have a choice are those for the posts of treasurer and international secretary. Hermann Schiavone and former MEP candidate Alex Perici Calascione will go head to head for the treasurer’s post.

Dr Schiavone had been barred by the party from contesting the general election in March, but he was elected to the PN executive last week.

Lawyer Trevor De Giorgio and former PN general council president, Victor Scerri, are in the race for the post of international secretary.

Former PN executive committee president Marthese Portelli opted not to contest the post again. When contacted, Dr Portelli said she wanted to concentrate on her new role as a member of Parliament and devote all her time to shadow the EU Affairs Ministry “which is a hell of a lot of work”.

Even parliamentary whip David Agius, who had been mentioned as a possible candidate for the general secretary post, decided to opt out and instead focus on his current party and parliamentary roles. Apart from being party whip, Mr Agius is secretary of the PN parliamentary group and Opposition spokesman for local councils.

The elections will be held on Wednesday.