Azzjoni Nazzjonali leader Josie Muscat has resigned from the party following the election result, categorically stating that the electorate had shown it was "totally disinterested".

However, AN was here to stay, deputy leader Anġlu Xuereb, now acting as leader, insisted, although it was too early to say whether he would assume its leadership or who else would.

The entrepreneur said he would be staying on in the party but the leadership issue would be decided in the general assembly next month. He declined to comment on whether he would be interested in the post.

Mr Xuereb said the council would decide who to appoint. He did not yet know whether he would be submitting his nomination.

Dr Muscat's resignation was expected as he had said that if he were not elected he would go on holiday and enjoy life. After all, he was 65 years old and would be 70 in five years' time, Mr Xuereb said.

Dr Muscat, who launched AN a mere nine months ago pledging to "clean up" Malta of "dirt, corruption and migrants", won 119 votes on the second district and 170 on the third. The party polled 1,461 first-count votes (0.5 per cent) nationwide.

"If we had not done too badly, it would have been a good start," Dr Muscat said.

"In life you face reality; it is useless crying over spilt milk. The facts are what they are. The country is what it is. The people are what they are and the result is what it is," he said, adding that there was no need to expand on that. "You have to put your feet on the ground and look ahead," Dr Muscat, a medical doctor and owner of private hospitals, said. And he has much to look forward to: "I have my work as a doctor and as a businessman. At the end of the day, I do not need politics."

"The electorate has shown it does not need anyone other than the two main parties. That is as far as their mind goes, so it is useless," Dr Muscat told The Times.

"We did not form the party out of pique. We were sincere and I think we formulated a good electoral programme. Nobody, including the press, was interested in discussing the issues. They were only interested in making the two main parties quarrel on stupid matters like the reception class, the surcharge and overtime. Instead of discussing the way forward, they were looking backwards," Dr Muscat said.

Did he have any regrets about bothering to set up the party in the first place?

"Not at all! I am 1,000 per cent positive that in a few days' time, people are going to start saying that AN was right. The Prime Minister is already saying he is going to choose a leaner Cabinet - that is already one! Let us see what else is going to follow...

"Everything we said was said with good intentions; we discussed it and all we had in our heads was the good of the country.

"The people were not interested, so to hell with it!"

Whether AN continues to exist or not is up to the executive and the general assembly to discuss and Dr Muscat had no idea who would replace him.

Until last week, Dr Muscat was staunchly and passionately immersed in his political role but yesterday he had enough to do and, at the end of the day, he did not need politics, he repeated.

As regards the change of heart, he said: "But what can I do? I was ready to give up a lot of the free time I had - if I had any. I was ready to reduce my sleep, as I did when I stayed up reading, preparing and all. I was ready to give to my country but it is not interested.

"I feel well; I look ahead; I have many friends in my life and I can go on..."

As to whether that would have been his last brush with politics, Dr Muscat, a former Nationalist MP, said: "Yes, as of today". But he was quick to add: "What happens in 10 years' time, God only knows."