Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1509248
3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 8 OCTOBER 2023 EWROPEJ 55 YEARS AND OVER? AN ADULT SUFFERING FROM A CHRONIC DISEASE? PREGNANT? A HEALTHCARE WORKER? FROM ALL HEALTH CENTRES AND SCHEDULED COMMUNITY CLINICS FROM MONDAY 9 TH OCTOBER 2023 GET VACCINATED For more information call 21 231 231 PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST INFLUENZA ARE YOU? C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Influenza Advert Newspaper 2023 FINAL.pdf 1 03/10/2023 10:57:46 Metsola could net second presidency a second time, just like the precedent set by former socialist MEP Martin Schulz. The leader of the EPP group and par- ty, Manfred Weber, had himself floated Metsola as a possible Spitzenkandidat – the lead candidate in European elec- tions – for the EPP. But having himself been pipped for that prize when Coun- cil ministers decided to pick Von der Leyen, it is likely that Weber was sim- ply kite flying. It is likely that Von der Leyen too will be returned as EC president in an elec- tion which the EPP are slated to win. This role has always been handed to someone with governmental experi- ence, which is why the EU's prime min- isters chose Germany's defence minis- ter to head the Commission, ignoring Weber's pretensions as spitzenkandi- dat. Potentially, Metsola could be the EPP's lead candidate in the coming Eu- ropean elections. But it is unlikely that the Labour administration, under pres- sure over so many governance scandals and seeking a convincing electoral win in 2024, would nominate an Opposi- tion politician to the Commission. It is more likely that Robert Abela could nominate someone with a proven track record such as deputy prime minister Chris Fearne, who as health minis- ter successfully stewarded Malta's re- sponse to the COVID pandemic. mvella@mediatoday.com.mt This article is part of a content series called Ewropej. This is a multi-newsroom initiative part-funded by the European Parliament to bring the work of the EP closer to the citizens of Malta and keep them informed about matters that affect their daily lives. These articles reflect only the authors' view. The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.