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maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 12 MARCH 2014 9 He described de Marco as "someone who personifies controversy." The opposition voted against after call- ing for a division. During his presi- dency de Marco reached out to the General Workers Union, establishing a friendly rapport with secretary gen- eral Tony Zarb. He also called for a reform of drug laws and made it clear that he would not resign from office if a divorce law were approved by par- liament. Eddie Fenech Adami - From PM to President In March 2004 parliament elected Eddie Fenech Adami as President at the end of a bitter debate between Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Opposition Leader Alfred Sant. Alfred Sant argued that as a former prime minister and party leader, Ed- die Fenech Adami was a divisive ele- ment. He described his nomination for the Presidency as shameful and humiliating to a large section of the people. In a scathing attack George Abela; first appointment from the op- position Lawrence Gonzi goes in history as the only Prime Minister to nomi- nate a leading opposition figure as President after winning a wafer thin majority in the 2008 general elec- tion. Before being chosen president Abela had contested for the party's leadership and had been earmarked as an MEP candidate by Muscat. But Gonzi's historic choice was not done without consideration to parti- san political calculations. In fact the nomination proved to be a serious embarassment for senior opposition figures like former PM Alfred Sant and former deputy leader George Vella with whom Abela has clashed in 1998. In fact both were absent in the vote, which saw Abela unanimously approved by both sides. On the gov- ernment benches the only dissenting voice was Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando who did not attend the sitting. Alfred Sant questioned Fenech Ad- ami's political record, accusing him of having negotiated with criminals when Joseph Fenech (Zeppi l-Hafi) was granted three Presidential par- dons. But Sant also made it clear that Labour Party would continue to re- spect the Office of President. The motion for the appointment of Fenech Adami was approved after a division, with 33 government votes in favour and 29 against. George Abela – first appointment from the opposition Lawrence Gonzi goes down in his- tory are the only Prime Minister to nominate a leading figure of the op- position as President, after winning a wafer-thin majority in the 2008 general election. Before being cho- sen as president, Abela had contested the party's leadership and had been earmarked as an MEP candidate by Muscat. But Gonzi's historic choice was not made without consideration to par- tisan politics. In fact the nomination proved to be a serious embarrassment for senior opposition figures like former PM Alfred Sant and former deputy leader George Vella, with whom Abela had clashed in 1998. In fact both were absent in the vote, which saw Abela unanimously ap- proved by both sides. On the govern- ment benches, the only dissenting voice belonged to Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, who did not attend the sit- ting. Coleiro Preca: Joseph's choice, Simon's dilemma Coleiro Preca will be the first nomi- nee hailing from the party in govern- ment to be approved by the opposi- tion. During a meeting held on Monday afternoon, Nationalist MPs decided to vote in favour of the motion pro- posing Coleiro Preca to become Mal- ta's ninth President. PN leader Simon Busuttil has con- sistently called on Muscat to appoint a new president from the Nationalist camp, however the prime minister ruled this out, opting instead for a trusted MP from his own camp. Last week, PN leader Simon Busut- til said he wasn't consulted by Mus- cat, protesting that he was presented with a fait accompli. However the PN eventually decided to back the nomi- nation. Had the PN decided to vote against or abstain in voting on Co- leiro Preca's nomination, it would have risked appearing parochial and isolating itself from the wider electorate. The PN's choice also dispels the negative image of an entrenched opposition, opposed to anything the present government does. In this way Busuttil has balanced his hawkish attacks on the govern- ment and his divisive role in the electoral campaign by appearing conciliatory in a highly symbolic moment. Voting against Coleiro Preca would have sent the message that the PN is still digging its heels in. The decision to back the appoint- ment of the Qormi MP, who enjoyed the approval of 40% of PN voters in the latest MaltaToday survey on ministers' ratings, seems to be a sensible one, especially since she will be replacing a President who was also unanimously approved as Head of State. News Voting for the government's choice A left-hand drive station wagon with Maltese registered number plate. Call on 21382741 CAR WANTED Ugo Mifsud Bonnici Eddie Fenech Adami Guido de Marco George Abela Marie Louise Coleiro Preca

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