The Nationalist Party has identified Judge Edwina Grima as its preferred candidate for the post of Chief Justice, while reiterating its firm opposition to the government's nominee, Judge Consuelo Scerri Herrera, MaltaToday reports.

Separately, sources close to the Nationalist Party told Newsbook that the PN is prepared to accept any one of four judges as the next Chief Justice: Anthony Ellul, Edwina Grima, Francesco Depasquale and Wenzu Mintoff.

While the names were not formally ranked, the same sources said Edwina Grima is at the top of the PN's list and that this preference has been communicated to the prime minister.

The development comes one day after the PN made it clear that it will not accept Consuelo Scerri Herrera as Chief Justice, replacing incumbent Mark Chetcuti who reaches retirement age today. On Tuesday, the government presented a motion pushing Scerri Herrera's name, but the PN rejected the proposal.

A two-thirds majority is required in Parliament for a nomination to the post of Chief Justice is accepted.

Justice Minister Jonathan Attard confirmed last week that the government's preferred candidate remains Judge Consuelo Scerri Herrera. Despite the absence of cross-party agreement, the government proceeded to table a parliamentary motion to approve her appointment.

Borg wrote to the prime minister on Tuesday objecting to the tabling of the motion, saying that during their most recent private meeting he had made it clear there would be no agreement on the government's nominee. He also reminded Abela that he had proposed another individual as a possible alternative - understood to be Judge Grima.

In his letter, Borg said it was difficult to understand why the prime minister was persisting with a nominee who was known not to enjoy the required level of consensus. He warned that this approach was not in the best interests of justice, particularly because it places a sitting member of the judiciary in the middle of a political dispute.

Discussions between Abela and Borg have been ongoing for some time and were kept confidential until Attard publicly revealed the government's choice. Following an exchange of letters between the two leaders, the prime minister proceeded with the parliamentary motion after Borg did not publicly state whether he agreed with the proposed appointment.