The race for deputy prime minister was still too close to call as speculation about Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s preferred pick hit fever pitch.
Dr Muscat is holding his cards close to his chest over who he would have by his side, though his silence has only served to fuel speculation among delegates.
Party sources told the Times of Malta some delegates interpreted Dr Muscat’s opening address tomorrow, in which he is expected to speak about his plan for more women in politics, as a sign of support for the only female candidate, European Affairs and Equality Minister Helena Dalli.
Finance Minister Edward Scicluna and Health Minister Chris Fearne are the two other contenders.
The Labour Party’s extraordinary general conference starts meeting tomorrow and the first round of voting will come to an end on Friday. If none of the contenders obtains 50 per cent plus one of the vote, a run-off between the top two will be held on Saturday.
Dr Muscat is expected to give a landmark speech about his party’s plans to bolster female participation in politics.
“We are likely to be told how much the party leadership wants more and more women and then be asked to choose between two men and a woman. Who do you think they are asking us to vote for,” a party member, who preferred to remain anonymous, said.
Dr Dalli’s campaign for the post, with the slogan “a woman with you”, stressed the point that, above all else, she was a woman, the member noted.
Dr Muscat is also likely to congratulate Dr Dalli for her input during a celebration in front of the Auberge de Castille, in Valletta, this evening to mark the approval by Parliament of the Marriage Equality Act, which other insiders agree also amounts to an unofficial ‘endorsement’.
“The Prime Minister may well describe Helena [Dalli] as his hero again, this time on stage in front of a huge crowd. That’s quite a message of support just before we choose a new deputy leader,” another member said.
However, sources said delegates were unlikely to be swayed by tonight’s festivities ushering in marriage equality.
The same sources said Prof. Scicluna was being viewed as “the safe option” who could ensure a smooth transition from outgoing deputy Louis Grech.
Prof. Scicluna gained more currency with delegates during the general election campaign when Dr Muscat had asked voters specifically whether they preferred Opposition leader Simon Busuttil or himself and Prof. Scicluna to run the country.
Meanwhile, Mr Fearne, a strong campaigner fresh off a convincing showing at the polls, has seen his bid gain traction with delegates.
The Health Ministry portfolio is the feather in his cap because, unlike equality or finance, he may have a more tangible bearing on delegates.