Former Nationalist minister and MP Dolores Cristina is to continue serving as Acting President each time newly-appointed George Vella leave the country, The Malta Independent is informed.

Cristina, who served as Minister of Education and Minister of Social Policy in Nationalist governments, took over as Acting President each time President Emeritus Marie Louis Coleiro Preca went abroad during her term in office between April 2014 and April 2019.

She had also, for a time, been Acting President when President Emeritus George Abela was abroad towards the end of his term in office.

Cristina is now set to take the role of Acting President again when George Vella, who was appointed President on 4 April, goes abroad.