Bernard Grech Backtracks On Woman Deputy Leader Call As MP Ivan Bartolo Confirms He Won’t Contest
PN leader Bernard Grech has backtracked on a statement he made two years ago that he would like a woman to become his deputy leader.
Asked by Lovin Malta whether he still holds these views, a spokesperson for Grech responded as follows:
“The election for a new PN deputy leader is taking place according to the rules, guided by the party’s statute, and will give people space to contest freely.”
“As per the statute, the new deputy leader will be chosen by councillors within the General Council, and PN leader Bernard Grech will respect their choice.”
It’s a far cry from what Grech had said in an interview back in September 2020, when he was contesting Adrian Delia for the PN leadership position.
“I’m giving you a scoop here and I need to discuss this if I get elected, but if there’s a male leader then I’d like there to be a female deputy leader,” Grech said back then.
“I want to see women involved in the highest positions of the party. It’s not enough to have a note in the statute where we say we want 40% of women in certain roles highest echelons but then only one woman in the highest levels of the party.”
“Women are intelligent, capable, they know how to run businesses, they’re creative and have skills just like men do so I want to see more participation from their end.”
A spokesperson for Grech then said that his idea is for the party to discuss a proposal under which the deputy leader will be a woman if the leader is a man and vice-versa. However, this proposal has yet to be implemented.
PN MP Janice Chetcuti
Although Grech has backtracked, there is nevertheless a very good chance that a female politician could still end up becoming his deputy leader.
A number of PN officials have informed Lovin Malta that Janice Chetcuti’s name is being floated around quite a lot internally, with the new MP not ruling out contesting the post and stating she will do “what is best for the party”.
MP Ivan J Bartolo, whose name has also been brought up internally, today confirmed with Lovin Malta that he isn’t interested in running for the post.
“Many people are trying to get me to go for it but the position doesn’t entice me,” he said. “I’m keen to assist the PN because I firmly believe that Malta needs a strong opposition but I believe my skills can be better applied in terms of organisation and finance structuring.”
Deputy leader Robert Arrigo and MPs Joe Giglio, Mark Anthony Sammut and Jerome Caruana Cilia have also ruled out contesting the post. Deputy leader David Agius hasn’t confirmed whether or not he intends to contest.
Although the party currently has two deputy leaders, recent changes in its statute mean it will have a single deputy leader, who will be elected via the party’s councillors.
Cover photo: From left: PN leader Bernard Grech, PN MP Janice Chetcuti, PN MP Ivan J Bartolo
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