Norman Vella MEP candidature exposes rift within PN ranks

Days after the Nationalist Party confirmed the candidature of Francis Zammit Dimech, Ray Bugeja and Norman Vella, a report by Sunday newspaper Illum sheds light on the uncertainty surrounding the candidature of the former TVHemm presenter, Norman Vella. 

Several members of the party's executive council abstained on the vote confirming Norman Vella's candidature.
 
It is not yet clear what led to the series of abstentions, but party sources said that a number of them were uncertain about Vella's political capabilities. 

On the other hand, despite rumours that TV presenter Jean Claude Micallef would be on the list, the commission did not approve and therefore did not propose his candidature to the PN executive council.

"The commission's decision conveys a clear message to all those honest and hardworking Nationalists who are ready to sacrifice their life, time and money," a visibly disappointed and incensed Micallef told Illum.

Speaking to the newspaper minutes after the PN's executive meeting ended, a defiant Micallef said the decision would either benefit the party or it would have devastating consequences on the party in opposition.

"If the decision to exclude me from fielding my candidature in the upcoming May elections is a good one, Simon Busuttil and the party will enjoy the benefits, but if it turns out to be the wrong decision, they will pay for it."
 
Asked whether his exclusion was down to a falling out with the commission or the Executive Council, he insisted that his loyalty would never be put into question.
 
"Those PN members who elected me as a member of the PN Executive Committee see my future in politics, but evidently, those who were chosen to head the party's electoral commission, think otherwise," he continued.
 
The PN's latest approval of the trio brings its total of MEP candidates up to 11. Other candidates on the PN ticket include incumbents David Casa and Roberta Metsola, entrepreneurs Helga Ellul and Jonathan Shaw, lawyers Stefano Mallia, Kevin Cutajar and Therese Commodini Cachia and PN youth section president Kevin Plumpton.

At first glance, the list of PN candidates contesting this year's European elections includes a balance between youth and experience, women and men and seasoned politicians and newcomers.

Read more in today's edition of Illum