President issues statement on MEP elections

President Guido de Marco has not ruled out standing for the European parliamentary elections in June, saying he would take any decision at the opportune moment.

However, in a statement yesterday, Prof. de Marco said he had "not made any determination" on whether he would contest the elections and that any decision on his future after his presidential term expires would be taken at the opportune moment.

The statement said: "The President will continue to fulfil his duties as he has done in the past, above party politics."

In parliament on Wednesday, Labour leader Alfred Sant said the Office of the President should either issue a categorical denial of the rumours that Prof. de Marco is to contest the MEP elections or resign immediately in the interest of democracy.

Without making reference to Prof. de Marco by name, and referring to him instead as "the holder of the highest institutional office", Dr Sant said that the possibility of the President intending to contest the elections would cause "major institutional problems" for the country.

Prof. de Marco's term comes to an end in April, just two months before the European parliament elections. If he does decide to return to the political arena, he will not be the first.

Former Portuguese President Mario Soares had successfully stood for election to the European parliament as a socialist candidate three years after the end of his term.

When contacted, Nationalist Party general secretary Joe Saliba said it was considered unethical for anybody to speak about the President in that manner in parliament.

"If Dr Sant was really referring to the President, then he is once again twisting the rules of the game to suit his cause."

The Standing Orders of the House of Representatives lay down that "no member shall use the name of the President of Malta disrespectfully in debates, not for the purpose of influencing the House in its deliberations".

Mr Saliba said there had been no communication at any level with Prof. de Marco in connection with the EP elections.

"We have not chased him, nor has he chased us," was his remark.

Asked whether he believed an outgoing President should be excluded from contesting such elections, Mr Saliba replied:

"The law clearly allows anyone listed in the electoral register to put his name forward for an election, and so we can't exclude anyone."

Though the discussion about the EP elections had started, the Nationalist Party will not embark on its campaign before January when it will also select its candidates, he said.

On Tuesday, the Labour Party selected the four candidates to represent it in the elections.