The Nationalist Party’s headquarters. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Simon Busuttil has been urged to show his mettle as Nationalist Party leader and press for the necessary changes in strategy and approach, sources said.

The message was conveyed on Thursday evening when the PN’s executive committee met to discuss the disappointing result in the European Parliament elections.

Though the party achieved its stated target of winning a third seat for the first time – albeit by just 206 votes – it lost the election by over 33,000 votes.

Sources told Times of Malta that Dr Busuttil’s leadership was not questioned, as those present agreed with his argument that the process of rebuilding the party following last year’s landslide defeat could not be completed overnight.

However, there were calls for him to be more assertive.

“The party needs a different strategy and a radical overhaul in the campaign team. It is not enough to change the leadership unless the people behind the scenes are replaced as well,” a committee member who preferred to remain anonymous insisted.

The party needs a radical overhaul

Trying to regain lost ground by using the same people who had repeatedly failed to understand the electorate’s message was “a recipe for disaster”. Last Tuesday, this newspaper reported a feeling of discontent among a number of PN officials and MPs who felt that the party had not freed itself completely from the grip of the “old clan”.

This sentiment was echoed in the executive committee meeting on Thursday with some members expressing disappointment that, in spite of the efforts by the administration for more people to come forward and contribute, some were finding the doors shut.

They complained that individuals were still being marginalised at the expense of others.

Another committee member, who also insisted on anonymity, described the discussion at the meeting as “healthy”, noting that everyone was free to express himself. “For me the message was quite clear. Dr Busuttil has to be himself and rise above the two deputy leaders,” he said.

Another point raised during Thursday’s meeting was that the emphasis had to be more on the leader rather than on the “team PN” concept, which was frequently mentioned in the European Parliament campaign.

“In the coming four years, the party has to invest more energy to build up its leader because it is more than likely that the general election will be a presidential-style contest,” one source said.

Meanwhile, the party’s electoral office has already started work to establish the identity of the 80,000-odd voters who did not cast their ballot in last week’s election.

The exercise will be crucial for the party in its quest to win back support in key regions and sectors of society where it has suffered huge losses in recent years.