Editorial

This Time next week the Nationalist Party will have a new leader. He will be the man who will go on to become the sixth Maltese to be prime minister since Independence, leading his party to the next general election from the comfort of his office in Castille. This is a big decision for, ultimately, the new leader has his work cut out to make the best use of the time life in the current legislature to ensure that the party is electable in 2008.

What are the characteristics that the 860 PN delegates will look for in their new leader? Having examined the qualifications of the three candidates last week and seen that public opinion is expecting nothing less than the national interest as the inspiration motivating the delegates in the choice of the new leader, it would be pertinent to put forward three 'identikits' for the new leader.

First: the leader who is set in the mould of the current leader. Do the delegates want more of the same? Yes, there are qualities like integrity and industriousness, someone very much in the party mould who can be relied on to ensure stability in the turbulent times ahead following accession to the European Union on May 1. Yet, are there other qualities that are needed more right now?

Second: the rough character who is not so strong on interpersonal relations, yet is the one who is most likely to introduce change. Are the PN delegates afraid of change or are they strongly aware that, if their party want to be re-elected yet again in four years' time, there needs to be a thorough shakeup, starting with the Cabinet and going down all the way through the party set-up?

Third: the pedigree party man who knows how to get the best out of all who work with him. The legacy he brings should reassure the delegates because this is the man they have always known, who saw them through tough times and can be relied out to remain clear-headed even in a crisis. Do the delegates feel they owe it to this man to give him a chance?

This has been a strange campaign, but it was a campaign nonetheless - better than having a charade with no choice at all. Ultimately, it is directed at the delegates who must ensure that their party will emerge stronger from this planned, orderly changeover. We have seen a string of photo opportunities, announcements and public appearances by the candidates in both Malta and Gozo. The real hard bargaining will, however, take place behind closed doors.

All three candidates will have laid out their endgame in the remaining days and hours up to next Saturday. Their campaign teams will be working feverishly. Every opportunity will be taken to communicate their message: what they intend to deliver to each delegate personally and to the party (and country) in general. What is apparent from the outside, at least, is that there have been no dirty tricks - it has been a fair and open contest, despite the 'handicap' of not being able to attack each other.

The big question remains: which candidate is most likely to deliver? There is more than personal credibility at stake. It boils down to a personal feeling that each delegate has for the candidates. Then, there is the perception of who of the candidates can make the delegates feel most comfortable about the prospects for the future.

What is certain is that the delegates do have a clear choice. They are in a highly privileged position - more than the entire electorate of Malta and Gozo. For thanks to their choice the party will have a new face and image, and soon a new prime minister. They also have the ability to ensure that their own positions will be safeguarded and that they will be better placed to serve their constituents not just for the next four years but beyond after the next general election. They must use their vote well come Saturday.