The predicted front runners in the Labour Party leadership election are so far being coy as to whether they are bidding to become Malta’s next Prime Minister.

Lovin Malta contacted Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne, Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg, MEP Miriam Dalli, and MP Robert Abela about whether they are looking to enter the race to become Joseph Muscat’s predecessor.

A leadership election is taking place on 12th January, less than 42 days away. However, neither one seemed willing to throw their name in the hat as of yet.

“I am aware that people are asking this question. Every decision I will make will be in the interest of the nation and the party,” Dalli said.

Meanwhile, Abela told Lovin Malta:

“I am identifying what are the best interests for the Labour Party at this particular moment and what the party needs. I will make my decision with the interests of the Party above all else.”

Referring to a quote he gave to TVM, Borg said that it was not the time as of yet to discuss whether or not he will contest, adding that unity within the party and how he could contribute to achieving it was his priority.

Fearne, however, declined to answer questions put forward.

During the summer, before the current political crisis, a leadership race appeared to be heating up, long before Muscat gave any date for his resignation. Fearne, Borg and former Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi were reported to have begun lobbying delegates.

A leaked Labour poll at the time showed Fearne leading with 28%, followed by Dalli at 23%, Mizzi at 21%, Borg at 19%, and Abela at 6%. It remains to be seen how Labour Party sentiments have changed since.

Regardless of whether or not they intend to run, the next Labour Party Leader (and Prime Minister) faces an uphill battle to rebuild trust in the administration following a political crisis which has seen the country’s top officials, especially the Prime Minister’s former Chief of Staff Keith Schembri, linked with the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.