Timeline

1977, April 11 - Eddie Fenech Adami becomes party leader, after 16 years of involvement with the party.

1979, October 15 - With the PN in opposition, violent scenes became more and more common, one of the most shocking being the ransacking of Dr Fenech Adami's house in Birkirkara.

1981, December 12 - The Nationalist Party wins a majority of votes in the general election but fails to achieve a majority in parliament.

1986, November 30 - One of the most violent political incidents in Malta left 23 hurt in clashes at Tal-Barrani, while PN supporters followed the leader to a mass meeting.

1987, May 12 - The PN returned to government after an absence of 16 years. Three years later, Malta applied to join the EU, one of Dr Fenech Adami's prime ambitions.

1992, February 22 - Dr Fenech Adami wins another general election, giving his legislature time to consolidate major changes to the country's infrastructure.

1996 - The PN lose an election to Alfred Sant's updated Labour Party, but it is a short-lived government, brought down by Dr Fenech Adami's former nemesis Dom Mintoff. Dr Fenech Adami only spent two years as Leader of the Opposition.

2003, March 8 - Dr Fenech Adami's party wins a referendum in favour of joining the EU, the final piece in the jigsaw puzzle leading to accession on May 1, 2004.

2003, April 12 - Another general election secures the way for EU membership. The government faces economic hurdles with a burgeoning deficit and debt, rising unemployment, and the need to reform the health and welfare sectors.