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maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 3 APRIL 2019 3 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 He stressed that he did not believe in judging a person on the basis of their party rather than their beliefs, a mistake he said both sides of the House had made such a mistake in the past. "In the George Vella's case, I have no doubt he is the best person to be our country's head of state at this particular moment," he said. Muscat insisted that he could think of few people who had spent as much time in politics as Vella, about who there had never been any doubts. "He was in front line politics, he was deputy Prime Minister, he was my Foreign Minister and when you consider eve- rything, no matter how hard you try, you can't find one oc- casion where he had not con- ducted himself with integrity," he said. He said Vella had a strong sense of duty and was a firm believer in public service and in being there for the people. "No doubt this is a result of his upbringing, which saw him start from humble beginnings to become a doctor and a ref- erence point for many people from the south of Malta, at the dry docks and at Air Malta." He recounted how Vella had expressed his disappointment at no longer being able to open his clinic and meet peo- ple upon becoming minister in 2013. An expert in Mediterranean affairs and the middle-east, Muscat said, Vella's presidency would follow on that of Guido de Marco. Muscat said he was proud to say that Vella had been one of the people who had believed in him and who had guided him throughout his political career. Finally, he said that while oth- ers might have immediately jumped at the opportunity to become President, Vella had taken a great deal of convincing. A voice for the vulnerable Turning to outgoing Presi- dent Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, Muscat said that like her predecessors, she had come from the political arena but had succeeded in rising above par- tisan politics and uniting the country. He said that when give years ago he had nominated Coleiro Preca, many had told him that the Labour Party was losing one of its strongest MPs. He said that while it was true that this had been a loss for the gov- ernment, it was for the benefit of the country. The country, he said, had been greatly enriched by Coleiro Preca and her work. "She was the voice of causes and people who normally find themselves in a minority, if not alone," he said, adding that she had never shied away from speaking up, even if this meant criticizing the government. Coleiro Preca, he said, had been instrumental in, among other things, giving children a voice, and in bringing issues that affected them to the fore. Muscat said he was convinced that Coleiro Preca would con- tinue to impact people's lives through her work at the Foun- dation for Social Wellbeing. President should be elected by two-thirds majority Opposition leader Adrian Delia said that while Vella was worthy of the role, the PN be- lieved that the president should be elected by a two-thirds par- liamentary majority. He said this was not to be viewed as a lack of respect to- wards Vella, but rather some- thing that needed to be done for the country. Delia said that in the coming days he would be presenting a constitutional amendment that would to this effect. The PN leader said the was convinced of Vella's stature and moral fibre, irrespective of his political beliefs. "When it comes to beliefs and morals which could be the biggest test for our country, I am convinced George Vella will be able to carry this responsibility." Delia also thanked Coleiro Preca and commended her for rising above partisan politics. "I also had no doubt that the cabinet had lost a strong voice to protect the small and the weak at a time the government needed it most," he said "I had many occasions to speak with the president over the past two years...I was always struck by her ability to listen." Arts Council Malta is recruiting for the position of: Head Creative Europe Desk – Culture The role of Head (Culture) of the Creative Europe Desk is to promote the funding programme on a national level whilst assisting applicants in developing projects, preparing funding applications and building international partnerships. Arts Council Malta is the National Agency for Development and Investment in the cultural and creative sectors. Further information can be found on www.artscouncilmalta.org If you are interested in becoming part of our team, kindly apply by sending a CV on vacancies@artscouncilmalta.org by 19/04/2019. Jobsplus permit number 174/2019. VACANCY Muscat: Vella 'took a great deal of convincing' before accepting post "Like her predecessors, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca Muscat had come from the political arena but had succeeded in rising above partisan politics" Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca upon taking her oath of office five years ago

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