Paul Borg Olivier has left the building, Said takes over

Paul Borg Olivier handed over the keys of his office to successor Chris Said in a symbolic handover gesture.

"It might be a small key, however it carries a lot of weight," Chris Said said as his predecessor handed him his office's key.

The outgoing secretary-general did not comment on the contents of a report analysing the party's performance over the past five years and the reasons for its electoral loss back in March.

Instead, the former justice minister commented that the report will be the basis upon which the PN will rebuild its future.

The PN lost the 2013 elections by an unprecedented 35,000 votes that gave Labour a nine-seat majority in the House.

"As from today, the PN's General Council will open a new chapter and we will make sure the party takes action over the recommendations included in this report," Said said, describing the task undertaken by a commission led by new PN Executive Council president Ann Fenech, as a "very good piece of work."

The General Council will be presided by Paula Mifsud Bonnici. The party yesterday retained Jean-Pierre Debono as its assistant secretary-general Karol Aquilina as the president of the administrative council. It elected Ann Fenech, who chaired the electoral analysis report's committee, as the president of the executive committee.

"The biggest challenge will be to reorganise the party and reconnect the people to win their trust back," Said said, who said he will also give priority to addressing the PN's current €8 million deficit and turnaround the party's commercial entities' fortunes.

He said of the new deputy leader for party affairs, created by PN leader Simon Busuttil to take on two deputies, that the post will complement his role. "The more minds and hands on deck we have, the better the party will work at all levels."

On his part, Borg Olivier said serving the party had been "a great honour and privilege," adding that satisfaction should not be measured in success but in the level of service.

He also wished Chris Said well, noting that the two had worked closely for many years, including a six-year stint as law students and nine years as PN mayors.

"It is an honour to be in a party led by Chris Said, whose integrity, honesty, commitment and love for the country and party will enhance the party's efforts to face the challenges ahead and become stronger.'

Tonight, the party will kick-off its three-day General Council by discussing the report analysing the PN's electoral drubbing and a fund-raising event will then be held on Sunday.

"We now have a new team in place and during these four busy days we will discuss the report but with our eyes steadily looking forward. We will take into account the recommendations and roll our sleeves up to face the challenges ahead," the new PN secretary-general said.

He added that he would not face the challenges alone, "but together with a new group of party officials who are determined and enthusiastic to overcome these challenges."