Five people will be vying for the Labour party's top job on June 5 following an intense campaign. Herman Grech and Mark Micallef tried to find out if they had anything in common.
George Abela
What's the first thing you plan to do if elected leader?
Reorganise the administration of the party. We need to start having direct contact with local committees.
Did the Nationalists win the last election or did Labour lose it?
The MLP lost it. The election was there for the taking. Around 7,000 traditional Labourites didn't vote for the party.
What's wrong with the MLP?
The party needs to reorganise itself. There are still a lot of people who are not happy with the PN but still refrained from voting for the MLP.
Do you agree that the MLP administration should be changed this summer?
The new leader should wait for the outcome of the petition (to call for early administrative elections). I believe in a new and different leadership, and therefore I expect different faces.
Was it a fair campaign so far?
Despite its massive limitations, the party's electoral commission is doing its utmost to ensure it is. But the electoral process has been vitiated more than once.
If an EU referendum had to be held again would you campaign in favour of membership?
Of course I would. I've always been consistent.
Do you agree with pairing in parliament?
I think there should be serious negotiations and a package deal on pairing, taking into consideration the MLP's proposals. The PN is, however, steamrolling Labour, eliminating the chance of a level playing field.
What would you change in the government's immigration policy?
A year-and-a-half of detention breaches human dignity and human rights. Detaining someone for longer than a year is abusive.
What are your views on divorce?
We need a clear strategy for minorities like gay rights, cohabitation rights and the issue of divorce. We need to have a clear distinction between the Church's moral stand and the rights and civil obligations of our reality.
As a progressive party in the EU, we can't ignore these realities. As a party we need to start a serious discussion.
However, we must always take into consideration the need to strengthen the family.
What are the most pressing reforms for the MLP to win the next election?
We can't remain operating with a fortress mentality.
We need to reach out, rope in more people and the most fundamental issue is to become credible to ensure people can trust us.
Do you think you stand a good chance of getting elected?
I'm very optimistic. There are still two weeks to go and provided the campaign is run on a level playing field, I am happy.
Evarist Bartolo
What's the first thing you plan to do if elected leader?
Take a deep breath and prepare for the great deal of work that needs to be done. The big lesson I learnt from the last election is that there were 27,000 voters who didn't want us or the Nationalists. I would also meet the other four contenders.
Did the Nationalists win the last election or did Labour lose it?
A bit of both, I think, in the sense that the Nationalist party won, and did everything to win the election and I insist that there were a number of corrupt practices that were used to win this election, but at the same time Labour did not manage to be a credible alternative.
What's wrong with the MLP?
There's a lot of good and we need to build on that but we also need to work for unity. I think the biggest challenge is to update the values of social justice and freedom to the 21st century. We also need to develop our contacts with the media.
Do you agree that the MLP administration should be replaced this summer?
I believe it should be done as soon as possible - by the same people who will elect the leadership.
Was it a fair campaign so far?
There were things I didn't like, such as the leak of the delegates' personal details to the press, supposedly for a survey. Having said that, I had a very intelligent discussion on the way forward with a large number of delegates.
Which one thing do you regret during your campaign?
Apart from the leak, I would have liked us candidates to sit down with some so-called elders in the party to ensure the process is not divisive.
If an EU referendum had to be held again would you campaign in favour of membership?
I would campaign for us to stay in, no doubt. It's impossible for us to go back, it would be crazy.
Do you agree with pairing in parliament?
We seem to be thinking that the pairing arrangement is part of Parliament's regulations. It's not the case for Malta or the UK's House of Commons. The Nationalists need to respect us and our supporters.
What would you change in the government's immigration policy?
I think we should put more pressure on the EU, especially now that the Berlusconi government is adopting an iron fist policy. We also have to be careful not to make these people scapegoats for our local problems. These (immigrants) are our brothers and sisters and we have to fight the undercurrents of xenophobia and racism.
What are your views on divorce?
We have a lot of couples who are facing problems and we should have a debate and find solutions that address their problems. I don't believe we should be EU members just to receive funds, while ignoring the important values of social coexistence. I have a happy marriage that is still going strong after 31 years but should I give the cold shoulder to people who are in a different situation and want a fresh start?
What are the most pressing reforms for the MLP to win the next election?
Unity; working with a purpose. We need to be able to tackle the problem with the 7,000-or-so Labour voters who did not vote for us this time.
Do you think you stand a good chance on getting elected?
Honestly, I think it's very difficult to gauge how the delegates are going to vote because they are going to great lengths not to declare their preference and I don't blame them.
Joseph Muscat
What's the first thing you plan to do if elected leader?
To ask the other four colleagues to give me all their energy and time to play a central role within the party. Then I will call on everybody, including those who no longer feel comfortable within the MLP, to return.
Did the Nationalists win the last election or did Labour lose it?
The Nationalists won, even though there were shortcomings on our part.
What's wrong with the MLP?
The MLP has been resilient and it's a strong party. We weren't positive enough. People are convinced that the Nationalists haven't lived up to their promises. Now we have to convince people that we can do better.
Do you agree that the MLP administration should be replaced this summer?
Yes, I think there should be fresh elections well before the January deadline.
Was it a fair campaign so far?
I think so.
Which one thing do you regret during your campaign?
I don't regret speaking my mind. I regret not having spent more time with the other four contenders.
If an EU referendum had to be held again would you campaign in favour of membership?
I think the issue is closed now. The MLP is in favour of EU membership; it voted both in favour of the Lisbon and Constitutional treaty, so I would definitely campaign for a 'yes' vote.
Do you agree with pairing in parliament?
I think that's an issue which needs to be discussed with the parliamentary group. It's not just a decision for the leader. We should have discussions with the government on the basis that we are equal partners and we should be treated with respect.
What would you change in the government's immigration policy?
We have consensus on the period of detention. I would try to be more pro-active with Libya. I also think there are certain administrative issues that can be taken up.
What are your views on divorce?
I am in favour of the introduction of divorce and if elected and if Labour is in government I will be putting forward my own draft legislation and will give a free vote to our parliamentarians on this issue.
What are the most pressing reforms for the MLP to win the next election?
It's the mentality - we need to be much more positive. We need to put forward our own proposals. People are convinced that the Nationalists will not live up to their promises. We have to convince them they have a better alternative.
Do you think you stand a good chance of being elected?
I'll leave that up to the delegates to decide. Recent experience has shown that people shouldn't predict election results.
Michael Falzon
What's the first thing you plan to do if elected leader?
Thank the delegates who would have given me their support. Secondly, I would pray that I'm worthy of this responsibility.
Did the Nationalists win the last election or did Labour lose it?
We can play with words but reality is what it is: The PN decreased its majority and doesn't have an absolute majority; Labour increased its votes but doesn't have the majority.
What's wrong with the MLP?
I don't think it's fair, with hindsight, to say what's wrong with Labour. There's a lot of good but there are also a lot of things that can be improved. Had I known what was wrong beforehand I wouldn't be doing this interview, we would be in government and the country would be run better.
Do you agree that the MLP administration should be replaced this summer?
Being a candidate for the leadership, I don't feel that I should be seen to be putting any pressure to have an early election of the party administration. However, if the delegates want an early election I say why not?
Was it a fair campaign so far?
The electoral commission is doing its best to see that things are done properly. Yet, some things which happened in the past days, such as the leak of the delegates' information to a particular newspaper, leave a bad taste in one's mouth.
Which one thing do you regret during your campaign?
Sincerely, I don't think I have personal regrets. It was a positive experience and I listened a lot.
If an EU referendum had to be held again would you campaign in favour of membership?
The country decided in 2003 and the party changed its policy so I don't think anyone can now imagine that we can have a referendum about EU membership.
Do you agree with pairing in parliament?
The pairing issue has to be seen in its context. If the government is expecting a pairing arrangement, the opposition equally expects respect, in the true sense of the word.
What would you change in the government's immigration policy?
It's not in my style to say what I'd like to see changed and then impose it. I prefer having a debate first, but we're seeing other countries in Europe that are taking relatively tough stands and we should also take stands which safeguard the national interest, while not being racist or inhuman.
What are your views on divorce?
Again, I don't think I should pre-empt the party's position.
What are the most pressing reforms for the MLP to win the next election?
We need to be more positive. We need to study our policies better. Then there's the element of campaigning, party financing and the administrative side.
Do you think you stand a good chance on getting elected?
I don't want to be presumptuous... whatever happens, the delegates will decide and I will respect their decision.
Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca
What's the first thing you plan to do if elected leader?
Gather the other contenders to map out a way forward together.
Did the Nationalists win the last election or did Labour lose it?
Labour lost it. Let's remember that three per cent abstained, despite the fact that we've had a party in power for practically 20 years.
What's wrong with the MLP?
Our identity. We are not distinct enough, when in reality there should be a difference between the two parties. There is also a problem with unity.
Do you agree that the MLP administration should be replaced this summer?
Yes. There should be elections and the delegates should decide whether to retain the existing team. We need to sort out the procedural issues to start working on the real issues.
Which one thing do you regret during your campaign?
Some people still cannot perceive a woman politician at the helm of the party. This was very disappointing. I'm a seasoned politician. I served as general secretary for nine years and was elected in a general conference made up practically entirely of men. Having said that, I am still receiving a lot of support, considering I started the campaign at a disadvantage.
Was it a fair campaign so far?
Not 100 per cent. I won't elaborate at this point. Last Sunday I expressed my disappointment that the personal data of delegates were relayed to individuals outside the party. It's probable that this information is available to a number of entities.
If an EU referendum had to be held again would you campaign in favour of membership?
I never discuss the past unless I want to learn something from it. Membership is a closed chapter. We are members of the EU and should do our best to reap the benefits. But let's also have the courage to stand united against any EU regulations that do not suit the country. We have to stop dividing the electorate.
Do you agree with pairing in parliament?
I agree with pairing where the national interest is concerned. But how can we accept pairing when at this point in time the government is steaming ahead without consulting us on issues like membership of the Partnership for Peace. We need to negotiate on a number of issues, like party financing.
What would you change in the government's immigration policy?
The conditions at Ħal-Far (tent city) are not suitable for animals, let alone human beings. We need to give these people some dignity. On the other hand, we need to expedite the status of immigrants, and deport those who are not entitled to refugee status. We need to work more closely with other countries to offload the weight of those who are recognised refugees.
What are your views on divorce?
There will come a time when divorce has to be introduced. I would give a free vote to my MPs to decide.
What are the most pressing reforms for the MLP to win the next election?
We have to be distinct. Our values have to come to the fore. We need politics based on values. We need to be more united, far more organised and more media friendly. We can't be perceived as the party that always says 'no'.
Do you think you stand a good chance on getting elected?
I never talk about my chances. I work and have faith that the delegates will weigh up the strengths of the contenders. I reflected for four weeks before throwing my hat into the ring... and I believe I can serve that post well.