While interviewed on ‘Close Up’, Dr Debono, deemed that the upcoming Deputy Leader elections as ‘a golden opportunity’ for the party to redeem itself in the eyes of the voters. The Nationalist MP said that Dr Borg and Dr Gonzi represented the same strand of beliefs, and thus, did not represent other point of views in the party. However, this can be rectified, with a new Deputy Leader, who will balance out Dr Gonzi’s opinions. MP Franco Debono, said that despite relations with Prime Minister haven’t been at their best, he could not get himself to vote against Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi in the elections for Leader of the Nationalist Party. Despite being mentioned as a potential candidate for Deputy Leader, Dr Debono said he will not contest these elections. However, he added that he was overwhelmed with the backing he received; a result of his hard work and determination in the past years and months, according to Dr Debono.