'I was operating in Metsola's shadow': Bernard Grech opens up on PN resignation

Former Nationalist Party leader Bernard Grech said he felt he was operating “in the shadow of Roberta Metsola” during his tenure, as successive surveys showed party supporters wanted the European Parliament president to take over the leadership.

In his first extensive interview since stepping down last June, Grech told Andrew Azzopardi on Campus 103.7 FM that Metsola's international success and popularity created a political dynamic he could not ignore.

“I felt I had to move out for the party to have a new leader without any shadows following him,” Grech said. 

The PN MP insisted his decision to resign last summer was taken before a Malta Today survey that showed the PN trailing significantly behind Labour. 

The surprise move opened the door for Metsola to return to domestic politics but the EP president decided to stay put in Brussels, opening a two-horse race between Alex Borg and Adrian Delia.

“I made a lot of sacrifices... I will give all the space to the new leader and I think it’s important for all leaders to have this space.”

Grech said he believed his departure was necessary to allow a successor to take over without internal divisions or comparisons undermining their authority.

He voiced strong support for Borg, stressing the PN needs to be in government.

Reflecting on his tenure, Grech defended his record, noting that he had reduced the electoral gap with the Labour Party and restructured the party’s internal operations.

“I was the one who removed the jinx of 36,000 [vote] defeats,” he said, referring to the margin by which the PN had lost previous general elections.

Asked whether the PN is in a position to win the next general election, Grech said the party must continue regenerating itself. He underlined the need for renewal, adding that “there is a cycle for all politicians”.

Abela a 'liar'

Grech delivered a scathing criticism of Prime Minister Robert Abela, describing him as “immature”, “insecure” and “a liar”.

He accused Abela of being “a man prepared to destroy everyone so that he appears good," seemingly more interested in PR and theatrics”.

Grech said that during private meetings between them, the prime minister would automatically dismiss skilled candidates with Nationalist sympathies for senior roles because he feared it would backfire on his popularity.

Turning to the state of the country, Grech acknowledged that Malta’s economy is performing well but questioned the broader consequences.

“The economy is doing well, but at what cost – the traffic, the country’s identity, the environment?” he asked.

Grech, who served as PN leader between 2020 and 2025, said he will stand as a PN MP in the next general election.