The day after: comments galore as the two remaining contenders prepare to go head to head

The day after the first round in the Nationalist Party leadership race, comments were the order of the day as the two remaining contenders prepared for a hard two-week slog for the second and final round.

Adrian Delia, one of the two, spent the morning touring party clubs, accompanied by his wife.

The two contenders also found time to issue statements and write articles. Dr Delia wrote that Saturday’s vote sent a very clear message by the party delegates, called ‘the highest organ in the party’.

Dr Said on the other hand said that the party must not become a carbon copy of the Labour government.

Frank Portelli, one of the two eliminated contenders, wrote on Facebook that Saturday’s result was a manifestation of hidden anger against the establishment.

The other eliminated contender, Alex Perici-Calascione, did not issue any statement.

Interviewed on One Radio, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat refused to be drawn into commenting on the PN election. He however said that judging from many comments, PN voters were complaining none of the contenders seemed to be adequate, a far cry, Dr Muscat said, from the Labour Party where there is an abundance of talent, according to him.

This did not, however, stop his Communications Co-Ordinator, Kurt Farrugia, from giving his opinion on Facebook, in which he claimed that Dr Delia is just as condescending and arrogant as the present PN leadership. He also claimed that Dr Delia is a “sleazy character.”

Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Joseph Muscat yesterday refused to be drawn in to commenting on the result of the first round of the PN leadership contest.

Speaking on One Radio, Dr Muscat cut short a question on the election result and said that as Prime Minister he works with everyone.

He only hopes that the person chosen will change the negative approach that characterised the PN under Simon Busuttil who he said did harm to Malta both in locally and abroad.

However, from the comments he has read, it would seem that many are complaining that none of the four candidates are worthy of being chosen.

This gives him great satisfaction as PL leader for PL has the opposite problem – it has too many good candidates to choose from, as was shown in the latest contest for PL deputy leaders, all of which were superior to the PN’s four.

Meanwhile the government continues to work on creating jobs and improve the quality of life of Maltese citizens.

There are still people who are struggling in today’s Malta, such as those who live in rented accommodation and the government intends to address this issue.

The infrastructure needs to be improved.

This government also intends to keep improving the quality of life of all citizens. As from last Friday, same-sex couples can get married. The PN and its four contenders are still hesitant to support this.

The government also intends to increase the participation of women in public life. As from today, applications will be received for the Lead programme that is aimed at encouraging more women to take part in public life.

I hope that the person chosen will change the negative approach that characterised the PN under Simon Busuttil who did harm to Malta both in locally and abroad