‘The choice of the next President should be solely vested in Joseph Muscat's hands’ – Sant
Favourites for the post include Cabinet members Louis Grech and George Vella as well as former Prime minister Lawrence Gonzi.
Former Prime Minister Alfred Sant has insisted that the choice of the next Maltese president rests "solely in the hands of the Prime Minister Joseph Muscat."
In the wake of Simon Busuttil calling on Muscat to follow the example given by the Nationalist government to appoint a president from the opposite political camp, the Labour MEP argued that there are no rules within the Constitution prescribing this custom.
"The next President should be subject to the choice of the Prime minister, who after consulting with the Opposition and his parliamentary members, would nominate a candidate for the post," Sant said.
The former PL Leader also said that the new president, who will be appointed upon the expiration of George Abela's term in April, should reflect the "current political and social circumstances within the country."
Among the favourites for the appointment are current Cabinet members Louis Grech and George Vella, while former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi is the favourite within the Nationalist camp.
Read more in today's edition of Illum.