Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1513813
2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 31 DECEMBER 2023 Looking forward 2024 WITH George Vella's term as president ending in April, the impending challenge for the po- litical class is to reach consensus on his replacement. But finding a nominee able to obtain a two-thirds majority in parliament is unlikely to be an easy task. Avoiding a deadlock is cru- cial, given the historical diffi- culties in reaching consensus for such appointments. But how can Robert Abela succeed in reaching consensus without shooting himself in the foot by letting in a Trojan horse who could sabotage his agenda from San Anton Palace? And how far will the Opposition go in get- ting its way without sounding disruptive? A Labour stalwart Abela may still opt to reward a respected party stalwart with the post. He will hope that the Opposition will play along not to look divisive and not to limit its own choices of appointing one of its own when elected back to power. Abela may justify this by citing the precedent set by previous Nationalist admin- istrations who resorted to the appointment of political heavyweights which included all three candidates vying for the PN's leadership election in 1977, namely Guido de Mar- co, Censu Tabone, and Eddie Fenech Adami. Moreover, both George Vella and Marie-Louise Coleiro Pre- ca were also backed by the Na- tionalist opposition when they were proposed. There is, however, a crucial difference between then and now. On previous occasions the Opposition backed the gov- ernment's choice in full knowl- edge that it had little say in the matter because the president was chosen by a simple majori- ty in parliament. Now that it has a real say giv- en the two-thirds majority rule introduced over the past four years it can afford to raise the stakes. If Abela follows tradition, he still faces the dire prospect of choosing the most deserving Labourite for the post, possibly stirring resentments within his own party. One obvious choice would have been that of veteran pol- itician Evarist Bartolo whose charm, charisma, and intellec- tual gravitas make him an ide- al candidate for the post. But Bartolo's missives and Face- book digs on Abela's govern- ment following his exit from parliament have dampened his chances. Other names touted in the past include that of Helena Dalli - the standard-bearer of Labour's reformist agenda on civil liberties and a bête noire for moral conservatives. This choice would signal Abela's de- termination to press on with a liberal agenda which was crip- pled by George Vella's strong reservations. These came to the fore dur- ing the debate on a proposed amendment to allow abortion in cases where the health of the mother is in grave danger, which led to a humiliating re- treat by Abela who was forced to water down the amendment in a way which was acceptable to Vella. But Dalli's appointment may be unacceptable for the PN for the same reason, especial- ly if the party decides to use its power on the presidency to ensure the election of a con- servative who would block any attempt to further dilute abor- tion restrictions or to intro- duce euthanasia. Dalli's appointment would also give Abela the opportuni- ty to appoint a woman to the role as Muscat did in 2014 and Mintoff in 1982 thus sending a strong feminist message. But the timing makes Helena Dalli's choice more complicat- ed since her term as European Commissioner will expire in June, three months after the expiry of Vella's presidency. Other potential candidates who may fit the role include former tourism minister and former EU commissioner Kar- menu Vella. A charismatic man who can work with everybody, Vella has the advantage of having been out of the partisan fray since his appointment as commis- sioner in 2014. This also makes him immune from accusations of complicity with decisions taken under Joseph Muscat. But now in comfortable semi-retirement, Vella would probably have to be convinced to take up the role. An outsider for the post is So- cial Policy Minister and former deputy leader Michael Falzon, another popular veteran and grassroots darling. But his ap- pointment may well be shot down by the Opposition in view of the Gaffarena scandal which led to his temporary exit from Muscat's government in 2016. Moreover, his appoint- ment could open Pandora's box for Abela as it would trigger an early Cabinet reshuffle. A stalwart from the PN One sure way to avoid a dead- lock would be to take the cue from the Gonzi administration and propose a candidate from the ranks of the Opposition. Lawrence Gonzi's nomination of Robert Abela's father George took place in a different politi- cal context and was triggered by the PN's wafer-thin victory in the 2008 general election. Moreover, George Abela was also palatable for most of the PN at the time because of his troublesome relationship with former Labour leader Alfred Sant and his support for EU membership. Yet even this choice had created negative ripples among Nationalists - including party rebel Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and MEP Simon Busuttil - who disagreed with Gonzi's choice. It also left party veterans like Louis Galea out in the cold. But the negative reaction of Labour's own grassroots to persistent rumors that Robert Abela was for a time consider- ing appointing Lawrence Gonzi to the post makes this a very unlikely prospect. Moreover, such an appointment would be seen as a clear sign that Abe- la has given up on any further tinkering of abortion laws. After George: Trojan horse, rubber The next President of the Republic will need the seal of approval of a two- thirds majority in parliament. JAMES DEBONO asks whether Robert Abela can avoid a deadlock without shooting himself in the foot.