PN General Council expected to approve statute amendments

Sunday newspaper Illum today reports that the PN general council will discuss a set of draft amendments to the PN statute at the end of the month.

For the first time, the general council will be carried out on four consecutive days, between 30 January and 2 February.

One of the key amendments proposed by an internal commission, is the election of party leaders and deputy leaders by all paid-up members.

"The PN's General Council will meet across four days to discuss the amendments to the party statute. The duration of the council gives the members plenty of time to discuss the proposed amendments thoroughly," PN Secretary General Chris Said told sister newspaper Illum.

Following its unprecedented electoral defeat in March 2013, the party's members cited the lack of synergy between activists, the party's inner circles and the lack of new blood among the main reasons for the party's demise.

Consequently, in an effort to address these qualms, PN Leader Simon Busuttil set up an internal commission to make the party more "inclusive" by opening its doors to more women and youths.

Chaired by MEP hopeful and veteran MP Francis Zammit Dimech, the commission organised several meetings and eventually presented a draft set of amendments that will be discussed in the general council.

The amendments to the statute also propose the inclusion of more women and young people in the party's sectional committees, which would in turn shake up the composition of the General Council.

An increase in the number of elected members in the general council was also proposed while new policy forums will be set up to put forward ideas and contribute to fresh and innovative PN policies.

Read more in today's edition of Illum