President George Vella has commended the successful completion of the Nationalist Party’s leadership race which took place on Saturday.

President George Vella 

He congratulated Dr Bernard Grech on his nomination, which “carries with it no-small amount of responsibility,” the Office of the President (OPR) said in a press release issued on Monday morning.

The President went on to wish him well in his efforts as leader of the PN, as well as in his Constitutional role as Leader of the Opposition, “which he is expected to assume shortly”.

“This so that in his work, both politically as well as parliamentary, [efforts] are always aimed at seeing our country progress, in the interest of all citizens.”

The President stressed that in an active democracy, the roll of a prepared and active Opposition, especially within its parliamentary work, is expected and essential.

He also thanked the outgoing leader, Dr Adrian Delia, for his service to Malta over the last three years as Leader of the Opposition, and wishes him well in his future endeavours.

Dr Delia had beat out contender Dr Chris Said in a 2017 leadership race, following a general election defeat which saw the Labour Party attain an eight-seat parliamentary majority.

An eventual loss of confidence in Dr Delia by the PN parliamentary group, as well as the PN Council, led to a leadership race to be called before the next general election.