Busuttil scoops PN deputy leadership

Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil was declared PN deputy leader yesterday after thrashing his rival, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech, in a vote that was nowhere as close as predicted. “Today the Nationalist Party won,” enthused Dr Busuttil as he was cheered by supporters who filled the PN headquarters in Pietà. Dr Busuttil, who ran on a platform of change and reconciliation with disgruntled Nationalists, won 640 votes. Despite the backing of most Cabinet members and the limelight he enjoyed this Budget week, Mr Fenech got just 241 votes. Having exceeded the two-thirds quota of 590 votes, Dr Busuttil was declared outright winner. In an address soon after the result was announced, Mr Fenech said this was a difficult choice for councillors, whose ultimate decision made his two young children very happy. “The best thing about this contest is that it remained one among friends,” he said, vouching to keep working for the party. “This party is much newer than the Labour Party... I am proud to be a Nationalist,” he added. Thanking them for their overwhelming support, Dr Busuttil urged councillors to immediately start work on winning the forthcoming election. Vowing that the PN would return the...