Malta’s next President, Social Solidarity Minister Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, said that she would act as a facilitator on issues concerning her present portfolio, by raising awareness and bringing all stakeholders together to discuss issues of importance.

Earlier this morning, Parliamentary Secretary Michael Farrugia, who will be inheriting her portfolio tomorrow, said that Ms Coleiro Preca would serve as a consultant to the ministry, while the government will retain the administrative and executive roles in implementing the policies in the sector.

Asked to comment at a press conference concerning the Housing Authority, Ms Coleiro Preca said that the term facilitator would be a more apt description.

“The President is the head of state, and the state is ultimately its people... we can bring together all stakeholders on issues of national importance,” the minister explained.

Ms Coleiro Preca said that she understood that there would be a degree of scepticism on what her role would entail, but stressed that any possible disagreement that may arise was not an issue.

She explained that she would use the Presidency’s profile to bring all people together, and that she would do her utmost to seek consensus: but ultimately, it would be up to parliament and the government to hammer out the actual policies.

The minister emphasised that the President could not assume an executive role, and that she had no desire to do so. However, she also noted that the Presidency provided a degree of moral authority which could be utilised to bring certain issues to the forefront – far more effectively than she could as a minister.