'I did my job': Metsola joins early voters for PN leadership election

Updated 9.50 with PN announcement of turnout on the first day.

Roberta Metsola joined PN members who cast their early vote for the party's leadership election but was reluctant to say who she was backing, saying only: "I did my job." 

The European Parliament president was widely considered to be the favourite to take over from Bernard Grech but turned down the chance, saying she had a responsibility to her Brussels role.

She joined dozens of members outside the Nationalist Party headquarters in Pietà as early voting began on Wednesday ahead of the September 6 election between Alex Borg and Adrian Delia.

Both candidates were also at the party headquarters, walking around and speaking to voters.

People queue to vote for the Nationalist Party's fourth leader in 12 years. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Most voters were reluctant to speak to the media about their preference. One woman said: "I wish to see a strong leader, not just for the party but for the whole country. A strong opposition makes a strong democracy."

Around 20,600 PN members, referred to as tesserati, are eligible to vote in the election. 

Wednesday was the first day of early voting at either the PN headquarters between 4pm and 9pm or in Gozo at the PN sub-headquarters in Sannat between 4pm and 8pm. The PN said late on Wednesday that 15% of the eligible voters (3,090) had voted on the first day.

The second day of early voting will be held on Saturday between 9am and 7pm in Malta and 9am and 5pm in Gozo.

On the final chance to vote on election day, voters can go to PN Headquarters and PN Clubs in Safi, Tarxien and Mġarr, between 9am and 7pm or PN Sub-Headquarters, Ta’ Sannat, between 9am and 5pm.

Early voting is organised for members unable to vote on the official election day. However, the PN earlier said all eligible members may freely choose the date and location where they wish to cast their vote, whether in Malta or Gozo, without the need for prior notice.

Bernard Grech, whose resignation in June sparked the leadership election, was not at PN headquarters on Wednesday as he is understood to be abroad. 

Both Delia and Borg have held events this week where they have outlined their vision for the party.

Alex Borg, right, speaks to voters. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Borg, 30, said he wanted to bring "generational change" to the party, suggesting proposals such as a national convention to discuss the state of the country and a digital revolution at the party's media. 

Delia, who is a former party leader, this week made proposals including renovation of the PN headquarters and the creation of a customer care centre supported by AI systems. 

Adrian Delia greets voters outside PN headquarters. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

An internal poll of members carried out last week showed that a third of members had not committed to either candidate.  However, among those who had made up their mind, Delia was ahead of Borg. 

Polls carried out on the national level, however, suggested that Borg is considered a stronger challenge to Prime Minister Robert Abela.