Nationalist MP Ivan J Bartolo confirmed that several people have approached him to gauge his interest in contesting the PN leadership.

Bartolo told Lovin Malta that he isn’t personally seeking out the leadership and isn’t actively meeting people to discuss such a move.

However, he said that he has been approached several times, including by councillors, and that he isn’t ruling it out at this stage.

“If nothing comes out of this, I will definitely stick to my plan to exit politics after the election,” Bartolo said.

“However, the principle which drove me into politics in the first place several years ago was a desire to serve. I won’t be able to live with my conscience if a calling comes and I don’t at least entertain it.”

“If the sacrifice needs to be done, I will seriously consider it for the benefit of the party and the country.”

Bartolo added that if a new leader requires his assistance with the reorganisation and restructuring of the party, he would be willing to help out, whether as an MP or not.

He confirmed that he would also be willing to help out Adrian Delia if he ends up returning to the leadership. Back in 2019, Bartolo was the first person to sign a petition calling for Delia to face an internal confidence vote.

However, he since confirmed on Karl Bonaci’s podcast that he had personally apologised to Delia over a year ago for taking an active role in the internal movement against him.

“I admit I was wrong at the time. My intentions were always guided by what I believed was best for the country and the party, but in hindsight, I realise I could have approached things differently. You live, you learn, and you move forward.”