Today, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca will be sworn in as Malta’s ninth President. She will be the Republic’s second woman President and she will be the second president from Qormi, like her predecessor George Abela.

Let us first reserve a few words for Dr Abela. The Qormi lawyer has acquitted himself well in the presidency. He put his own mark on it and focused on philanthropy (of a real and genuine nature) and of seeking to promote unity amongst the Maltese people.

He will be fondly remembered, but his stamp was definitely the Presidents’ Fun Run – an activity that became a national annual event. We hope that he will continue to organise it, even in his retirement.

Dr Abela has had a long career, he was active in the Labour Party and was one of Alfred Sant’s most trusted advisors. He also challenged for the leadership of the party and was defeated by current Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. He was appointed President by former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and constantly worked hard to elevate himself above party politics, being the first President from a different political camp to be appointed by a government.

But now, he passes the baton to Marie Louise Colerio Preca. What is there to be said about her? We are sure that today’s pomp and fanfare will ruffle her feathers. The President elect is a down to earth woman. She has a genuine interest in people and people love her for it in turn. As a member of the opposition, she worked tirelessly to address the needs of poorer families... not only constituents, but anyone who sought her help.

As Minister, she threw herself headlong into her work and immediately set out to apply herself to improve the lot of others. When the Prime Minister nominated her, he said that she would be a President with a difference, and that her talents and tireless work ethic would not be lost by the country.

In fact, in the comments she has given so far, the President elect has set out her plan and said that he immediate concern and main thrust of her activities will be to work for the eradication of poverty.

Marie Louse Colerio Preca has always rooted for the underdog and she has said that she will continue to do so. Just as she has done with everything in her life, we are sure that the President will fulfil her duties and obligations and go the extra mile, above and beyond the call of duty, to serve the people of Malta.

Presidencies evolve, they are almost like a living organism. But this is not the first time that a President has committed themselves to a cause. Former President Guido de Marco was another – he worked tirelessly to draw Malta’s attention to the plight of drug victims and to raise awareness about the issue.

We believe that Marie Louise Colerio Preca will fulfil what she has set out to do. She is such a people person that partisan politics will not affect her. And that is because before seeing red or blue, she sees a person or a family. Her immediate reaction is always to help, to see what she can do. To make people’s lives better. This is an honourable cause.