The four men vying to become the Nationalist Party leader will face one another in two debates to be aired on PN media later this month, the party confirmed this morning.  

Debates will be held on Thursday, August 24 and one week later, on Thursday, August 31 at 9pm.  

The debates will give the candidates "the chance to explain their vision and proposals to councillors and party members who will be choosing the Nationalist Party leader," the PN said in a statement confirming the debates.  

Adrian Delia, Alex Perici Calascione, Frank Portelli and Chris Said are all contesting the post.

Dr Portelli has expressed scepticism about the debates. Image: Facebook/Frank PortelliDr Portelli has expressed scepticism about the debates. Image: Facebook/Frank Portelli

One of the candidates, Dr Portelli, has indicated he is against the four contenders debating each other. In a Facebook post he uploaded last week, Dr Portelli said the debates would "wreck the party" and dismissed the idea as "madness". 

In its statement, the PN said party councillors would be receiving details about the leadership vote in the coming days. 

The PN general council will hold a first round of voting on Saturday, September 2, with a second round of voting held the following day if needed. The two candidates to receive the most votes will progress to another voting round on Saturday, September 16, with all party members eligible to vote. 

There will be the possibility of early voting for both rounds, with general council members allowed to cast their first round vote on Saturday, August 26 and early voting for the second round possible on Saturday, September 9. 

The PN said that while its electoral commission required all candidates to sign a "detailed declaration" about their personal conduct, "this should in no way be interpreted as a due diligence exercise and this responsibility falls upon the candidates themselves." 

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