Mark Anthony Sammut will not contest PN leadership

Mark Anthony Sammut, one of the names touted as a possible candidate in the PN leadership race, confirmed on Sunday that he is not contesting.  

He cited “party unity” as one of the reasons for his decision not to run, as well as family commitments.  

Potential candidates have until 2pm to submit their expression of interest. Only two have done so, Adrian Delia and Alex Borg. 

Former MP Franco Debono also said on Sunday that he would not stand.

Delia and Borg were considered allies until recently and their decision to contest each other came as a surprise.

Both are viewed as more conservative than most of the Nationalist Party’s parliamentary group.  

Over the last few days, several PN MPs and insiders expressed concern that no one from the more liberal and centrist elements had stepped up to contest.

Mark Anthony Sammut, the PN's shadow transport minister and general council president, was among the few names that were being mentioned as possible contenders for the leadership.  

But asked on Sunday morning if he was going to submit his nomination, Sammut confirmed that he was not.  

“I am making this decision based on two reasons. Firstly, I have a family with young children. Secondly, for the sake of party unity."

Asked to explain what he meant by “party unity”, Sammut declined to do so.    

Sammut had initially excluded himself from a leadership race, saying he backed a woman he felt could unite the party – clearly referring to Roberta Metsola. 

But contacted after Metsola said she would stay on as European Parliament president, Sammut said the “scenario has now changed”.  

“I firmly believed Roberta would have been the best option, but we have to respect her choice. The scenario has now changed, and we have to evaluate all options,” he had said.