Toni Bezzina running for deputy leader is latest twist in PN contest

Fifth district MP who had to withdraw a planning application after it was revealed property was in ODZ, submits nomination for PN deputy leader party affairs

13 October 2017, 6:34pm
by Kurt Sansone

1 min read

Toni Bezzina submitting his nomination for the PN deputy leadership to secretary general Rosette Thake

Toni Bezzina has provided the latest twist in the ongoing Nationalist Party leadership saga after choosing to go head to head with Robert Arrigo for the post of deputy leader party affairs.

Bezzina filed his nomination with PN secretary general Rosette Thake at the last minute. Nominations closed at 6pm.

The fifth district MP was embroiled in controversy last year when it was revealed that he had applied for a building permit in an outside development zone. His actions had jarred with the PN's stance against ODZ development and withdrew the application after pressure from party leader Simon Busuttil.

Bezzina will be contesting the post for party affairs in a direct contest with Arrigo, a 10th district MP.

PN Whip David Agius and Mosta MP Edwin Vassallo will be contesting the other post for deputy leader parliamentary affairs.

Both contests will be decided by the PN party members in an election on November 18. Given that there are only two candidates for each posts, councillors will not be asked to shortlist candidates as happened in the leadership race.

Kurt Sansone is Executive Editor of MaltaToday. He was formerly deputy editor of MaltaTod...