Watch: ‘Not the same Adrian Delia’: Former leader says he's evolved, not changed

Adrian Delia said he is contesting the Nationalist Party leadership out of a sense of responsibility to his country and party, stressing that he has evolved since he served as leader five years ago.

Speaking outside parliament, the former PN leader and current PN MP said the decision to return and contest the leadership was not easy, but came from a place of responsibility to the party and the country.

“Do I go through a lot again, do I give up, it’s not an easy decision,” he said. “But the sense of responsibility and loyalty to my party and my country overweighed everything else.”

Delia, who served as leader between 2017 and 2020, described his bond with the PN as enduring. “It’s something you love, you protect and continue giving everything to,” he said.

If elected, Delia would become the first in PN history to make a return to the leadership. He was ousted in 2020 after losing the support of a majority of his parliamentary group and was replaced by Bernard Grech.

Delia insists this time is different, and he has evolved.

“I am listening to the party and my understanding is that this Adrian Delia, strange to say it myself, is not the same Adrian Delia that had contested the first time around,” he said.

He described himself as more experienced, no longer a political outsider, and better equipped for the role.

"He's the same person with lots of scars of lessons learnt, messages inside, relationships built and bridges built too literally. And better equipped for the job, maybe?”

A lawyer by profession, Delia entered politics in 2017 and became PN leader that same year. His three-year leadership was defined by internal rifts, culminating in an open rebellion by 17 MPs calling for his removal.

Since then, Delia has rebuilt support within the party, particularly through his role in the Vitals court case, where he led a long legal battle that ultimately annulled the hospital's privatisation deal.

On Monday, PN MPs arriving at parliament were guarded in their responses to Delia’s candidacy. Most said they would back whoever is chosen as the leader.

Ivan J Bartolo said the decision was not surprising, while Bernice Bonello, Charles Azzopardi, and Joe Giglio said it was still too early to take a position, as nominations remain open until Sunday.

Alex Borg, who had been considered a potential front-runner, stopped short of endorsing Delia. “I will back any leader,” he said. “It’s nice to see a former leader contest. Now we need to see if others run [too].”

Delia himself encouraged a contested race. “I invite him, I believe in competition and healthy debate,” he said.

The leadership election follows Grech’s resignation earlier this month. The winner will become the PN’s fourth leader since 2013.