The process leading to the appointment of a new chairman for the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development is being brought to a close, as the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday confirmed that Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi is concluding the statutory consultation with the social partners on the new appointment.

The various representatives on the council are being consulted regarding possible appointees for the post. News portal di-ve.com has named former minister John Dalli, NECC chairman Joseph F.X. Zahra, privatisation unit chairman Emanuel Ellul and Professor Edward Zammit as possible names submitted to the government.

A spokesperson from the OPM stopped short of giving any names, saying the office considered it imprudent to mention suggestions put forward by the social partners.

The Malta Independent spoke to Malta Federation of Industry director general Wilfred Kenely and Malta Employers’ Association director general Joseph Farrugia, who both said it was not prudent to mention any names they presented.

Asked about the names mentioned in sections of the press, Mr Kenely said this was mere “speculation” and since the consultation process was still under way, it was unwise to mention any names at this stage.

While Mr Farrugia acknowledged that the names mentioned were among many others that the social partners were suggesting as possible appointees, he said one had to keep in mind that this was a very delicate position.

The MCESD chairmanship is indeed a delicate one, particularly after the General Workers’ Union recently put forward proposals for the council’s restructuring, envisaging a better council without government “interference”, with the social partners being able to speak and express their opinions more freely.

Most social partners had commented that if the government was looking at the MCESD as a consultative council in order to advise the government on its decisions, the government could not take a leading role. On the other hand, they had said, the MCESD without the government did not make much sense either.

The council’s former chairman, Victor Scicluna handed in his resignation at the end of February and the new chairman is expected to be appointed for a temporary period, since the government is expected to make certain reforms to the council.