Dolores Cristina to remain acting president

Former Nationalist MP Dolores Cristina has been reconfirmed as acting president, President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca announced this afternoon.       

This would be the second time that the former Nationalist education minister would be appointed as acting president after then-prime minister had ratified her appointment back in 2013.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Opposition, Coleiro Preca – who prior to her appointment as president pledged that she would be the country’s “unifying force” – explained that she would follow suit in endorsing the appointment of Dolores Cristina.

Coleiro Preca explained that she and Dolores Cristina would be working together during her whole term, and not just when she is abroad.

“My role as president and Dolores Cristina’s reconfirmed role as acting president is the perfect platform for women to further their careers and lives,” Coleiro Preca said.

Coleiro Preca recounted how despite their opposing political beliefs, she and Dolores Cristina always worked in tandem – most notably when they had issued a joint statement while holding the role as president of their party’s woman council.

While welcoming the news, Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil underlined that the Opposition would extending its hand of cooperation with the president to facilitate and address the issues of everyone.

Reminding Coleiro Preca of the “historic” vote in favour of her nomination, Busuttil explained that the Opposition’s vote puts responsibility on Coleiro Preca to deliver on her duties and responsibilities.