Former Education Minister Dolores Cristina, who served also as acting President since she retired from politics, is one of three names that the Nationalist Party intends to put forward as a successor to President George Vella.

Vella’s term expires in April next year.

The other two nominees are Magistrate Joe Mifsud and Caritas fundraising officer Marica Cassar, MaltaToday reports.

It is understood that PN leader Bernard Grech announced the names during a parliamentary group meeting on Thursday.

This will be the first time that the President will be elected via a two-thirds majority, which means that he or she will need the approval of both sides of the House.

Cassar had served as a communications officer in the office of the President at the time when George Abela was Head of State.

Cristina, a former mayor of Swieqi, also served as parliamentary secretary and later minister for social services.

Mifsud led the Labour Party’s youth wing and served as PL international secretary before being appointed to the Bench.