David CasaMEP David Casa has emerged as the favourite from a list of potential candidates for the post of Nationalist Party general secretary.
The 46-year-old held a formal meeting with party leader Simon Busuttil on Friday morning, though his is not the only name on the table.
Mellieħa MP Robert Cutajar has been mentioned, though there is a growing number of people within the party executive – which ultimately will elect the official – who believe whoever is chosen should not be a sitting parliamentarian.
Mr Casa is seen as a solid choice because he could help consolidate the party’s grassroots. Moreover, his move to the position of general secretary would necessitate that he step down as an MEP, most likely clearing the way for PN stalwart Francis Zammit Dimech, making way for another candidate.
MEP Roberta Metsola, who was not appointed head of the PN’s euro-parliamentary delegation despite obtaining the highest number of votes at the last election, is also likely to be given the title as a result of Mr Casa relocating from Brussels.
The general secretary seat is up for grabs since the PN leader asked Chris Said not to stand for re-election for the position, which he has held for two years, so that he can concentrate on his native Gozo.
The request followed the resignation from the PN parliamentary group of former Gozo minister Giovanna Debono on Tuesday.
Ms Debono, who presided over Gozo for an uninterrupted 15 years, was forced to step down after her husband, Tony, was charged in court over allegations that he contracted work in private residences through public funds. Mr Debono, 59, headed the construction and maintenance department within his wife’s ministry as a civil servant.
Both deny any wrongdoing, while Ms Debono has insisted she had no knowledge of any ‘works for votes’ scheme, as the alleged arrangement was christened.
Independently of Ms Debono’s resignation, the general secretary’s exit is thought to have been on the cards for some weeks.
Dr Said had been complaining that the job was not leaving him nearly enough time for his family and his Gozo constituency – a district in which Labour made significant inroads both at the general election in 2013 and last month during the local council polls.
“This is why so many people are arguing that the next general secretary should not be an MP,” a PN insider told The Sunday Times of Malta. “[David] Casa is a grassroots man and Simon [Busuttil] needs that.
“As for the management side, the blueprint for the party’s financial recovery has been laid by [incumbent] Chris Said and others who worked with him; from that end, it’s now just a case of keeping everything on track.”
The indirect benefits of the move are also under consideration. “The reality is that the ripple effects are all positive,” the source said.
Dr Said’s departure prompted a flurry of names earlier in the week, including those of MPs Clyde Puli, Charlo Bonnici and David Agius.
There was also a number of outsiders being touted but their interest in the position is questionable.
Another two potential candidates, Ann Fenech and Peter Fenech, could not be contacted for comment.
Lawyers Adrian Delia, touted for the leadership two years ago, and Reuben Balzan, also poured cold water on the idea.
Bar for Ann Fenech, who is currently president of the PN executive committee, none of the other outsiders submitted a nomination to become members of the committee – a prerequisite to be elected general secretary.