Tonio Fenech to contest PN deputy leader election

 Finance Minister Tonio Fenech yesterday confirmed his intention to contest the election for the post of Nationalist Party deputy leader. Mr Fenech, 43, said he had decided to put his name into the hat because he felt he could contribute to the party's future, while continuing to build on its past achievements. "It wasn't an easy decision, and was taken after the heartening news that the European Commission had decided to lift the sanctions threat over the deficit," he told The Times when contacted last night. "This news confirmed that the country is on the right track and it will allow me to concentrate on both the Budget and the campaign. My first priority is obviously the Budget." He said politics was a service and he was prepared to walk with the party in the challenges that lay ahead, the main one being the general election. Mr Fenech said he was ready to serve the party as he had done for the past years. So far, he will be running against Euro Parliamentarian Simon Busuttil. The post was vacated by Foreign Minister Tonio Borg, who was nominated to replace former European Commissioner John Dalli following his shock resignation last month. Mr Fenech first came to...