Family and Social Solidarity Minister Marie Louise Coleiro Preca – who is expected to be nominated as Malta’s next President of the Republic later this week – harshly opposed a plan by Castille to transfer social workers from under her responsibility to the Health Ministry, informed sources told this paper.
The issue seems to have irked Dr Coleiro Preca, and it is understood that she vehemently opposed the move, insisting that social workers should remain under the Social Solidarity Ministry.
According to sources inside Castille, before accepting the Presidency nomination Dr Coleiro Preca “went on the warpath” over the government’s plan and has also had other major disagreements on the housing sector, which also falls under her ministry’s remit.
The sources explained that this could be one of the main reasons why Prime Minister Joseph Muscat will nominate Ms Coleiro Preca for the Presidency: in order to quell the Minister’s opposition to this as well as other upcoming plans. One source said that this disagreement would explain Dr Muscat’s choice for the Presidency – a relatively young minister who delivers and who is one of Labour’s primary vote catchers.
Ms Coleiro Preca is well liked by both Labourites and Nationalists on the sixth district because she is known to help people from all sides of the political spectrum. During the last general election Ms Coleiro Preca got almost 6,000 first count votes – almost triple her 1998 result.
The Malta Independent revealed on Tuesday that Ms Coleiro Preca’s imminent nomination for President is the result of the powerful influence that the ‘Mintoffjani’ still enjoy in the Labour Party and the government. This paper reported that Foreign Minister George Vella had been the most likely choice but the Prime Minister had to back down at the insistence of the Mintoffjani, who still look upon Dr Vella with disdain over his tumultuous relationship with the late Dom Mintoff.
But our sources have implied that another reason why Dr Muscat has opted for Ms Coleiro Preca is because of her insistence that social workers should not be transferred from under her ministry. It is not known, as yet, who will replace Dr Coleiro Preca as minister responsible for social dialogue and whether the government’s plan on social workers will be carried out.
Coleiro Preca President ‘designate’ on Wikipedia
When hounded by the media last week, Dr Coleiro Preca would not comment on her impending nomination for President, insisting that the matter was the Prime Minister’s prerogative. The Family Minister said that the media has a right to ask questions but, at the end of the day this matter is the responsibility of Dr Muscat. Despite not confirming that she has been offered the Presidency, Dr Coleiro Preca has also not denied media reports on her nomination.
In the meantime, a reader pointed out to this paper that the online encyclopedia - Wikipedia – has already listed Marie Louise Coleiro Preca as the President designate, with her term of office starting on 4 April. On Tuesday Ms Coleiro Preca was actually listed as the “incumbent” President, but the entry has since been changed. It is correct to point out that Wikipedia articles can be uploaded or edited by members of the public who hold a website account.
On the other hand, many Zejtun PL supporters have expressed disappointment over the fact that Dr George Vella has had “his Presidency snatched away.” Many wrote on Facebook how the Foreign Affairs Minister is “an exemplary politician”, “a man of integrity” and an “honest and capable minister.” Even Dr Vella’s wife Miriam joined in and thanked people for “the good comments they wrote on her husband.” In an interview a few days ago Dr Vella said that he “is happy where he is and is getting things done”, but sources close to the Minister insisted that he was “looking forward to the Presidency and would have accepted it”.
Coleiro Preca to be second consecutive President from Qormi
Marie Louise Coleiro Preca will be the second consecutive President hailing from Qormi, after Dr George Abela. Malta had never had a Qormi born President before. And even though it had two Presidents from Birkirkara (Sir Anthony Mamo and Eddie Fenech Adami) and two from Gozo (Anton Buttigieg and Censu Tabone), they did not serve in consecutive terms.
The other presidents came from Valletta (acting President Albert Hyzler), Zabbar (Agatha Barbara), Rabat (acting President Paul Xuereb), Cospicua (Ugo Mifsud Bonnici), and Hamrun (Guido de Marco).