“She is seen as the solution because she is accepted by most factions within the party, her track record and policies have been resounding,” added the official, granted anonymity to discuss internal party matters.
In Malta, the party leaders from the two largest political forces — Labour and the Nationalists — are traditionally the candidates for prime minister. Grech, who resigned after months of negative polls, said it was time for a “new chapter” and a new leader in the party.
“Whoever he or she is, they will have my absolute support,” Grech said, insinuating through pronoun choice that Metsola could be in the race.
Mary Anne Lauri, a leading figure of the Nationalist Party, wrote on Facebook shortly after the announcement: “Will Roberta take on the post?”
According to a poll by the Times of Malta in February 2025, almost half of Nationalist Party voters want Metsola to be party leader — 15 percentage points more than for former party leader Grech.
Current Prime Minister Abela said mid-May he would consider calling a snap election if the Nationalist Party changed leadership.
