PM gives ministers resignation date

Eddie Fenech Adami informed the Cabinet yesterday he intends to step down as prime minister on March 22, sources said.

He will wait for the Nationalist Party deputy leadership election on March 19 and resign soon afterwards.

The decision adds weight to the theory that Dr Fenech Adami will become the next President when Guido de Marco's term ends on April 6.

Dr Fenech Adami's departure would mean the PN's new leader, Lawrence Gonzi, becoming prime minister earlier than most people had previously envisaged.

Dr Gonzi will therefore have a baptism of fire as he is expected to represent Malta at the European Council summit on March 25.

The entire Cabinet will have to resign in the light of Dr Fenech Adami's departure.

Sources said Dr Gonzi was currently mapping out a "major" Cabinet reshuffle and it will not merely be a case of musical chairs.

According to party sources, Finance Minister John Dalli, who failed in his leadership bid, is still determined to leave the ministry he has spearheaded for about 10 years.

With the departure of Foreign Minister Joe Borg - who will become Malta's first EU Commissioner - Mr Dalli is being mentioned as his possible successor, the sources said.

But another individual seen as having the credentials and whose name is being touted for foreign minister is that of former minister Michael Frendo, who represented the PN at the European Convention.

The strongest contender for the hot seat in the finance ministry is former Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici, the sources said.

Two other backbenchers who are likely to be promoted and who enjoy large backing within the party are Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and Tonio Fenech.