A split on the gay marriage issue would condemn the Nationalist Party for an eternity in Opposition, Simon Busuttil warned this evening warned.
Delivering the concluding speech of the party's first general council following the June 3 general election defeat, Dr Busuttil said:
“The conservative and the liberal factions must co-exist together, even if this entails taking delicate and controversial decisions which have to reflect societal changes,” he told party delegates who met to approve the timeframe to elect his successor.
Following a lengthy debate which was not open to the press, it was decided to abide by the parameters set by the executive committee, whereby Dr Busuttil’s successor would be elected on September 16 during a general convention in which more than 20,000 party members would be eligible to vote.
In his address, the PN leader acknowledged there were diverging views within the party on the issue of gay marriage. However, he pointed out that the electorate had, in the election, given a strong message in favour of its introduction.
“We must accept the people’s decision just like we did on the divorce issue and remain united,” he said. He warned that a split within the party would be the worst thing which could happen.
Looking ahead, he said his successor should have the have the hallmark of honesty and good governance.
No general election victory can absolve the Prime Minister from the fact that he is under investigation, he insisted. “We will not allow anyone get away with murder,” Dr Busuttil said.
Prior to his address, a lengthy debate took place on the timeframes of the leadership election, amid suggestions to postpone the contest even further.
It was ultimately unanimously decided to adhere to the proposal put forward by the executive committee.
For the first time ever, the final decision will rest on party members who number more than 20,000. This follows statute changes in 2014.
Should there be more than two candidates, the list will be whittled down to two by a vote of the general council. If the election ends up being a one horse race, the sole candidate would still have to obtain at least two-thirds of the party members’ votes.
To date, former PN general secretary Chris Said and lawyer Adrian Delia, a complete outsider to the PN structures, have declared their intention to run for the leadership.
Nominations will be received between July 17 and 19. The final run-off is scheduled for September 16.
The council also approved former Foreign Minister and European Commissioner Joe Borg as head of the electoral commission. Matthew Mangion, Boris Xerri, Trevor Degiorgio, Marion Pace Asciak, Angelito Sciberras and Isabel Vella will be the other members.
The process to elect the two deputy leaders will start once Dr Busuttil’s successor is in place, while the election of the party administration will be the final phase of the PN’s post-election reshuffle. The entire leadership line-up is set to be in place by October.