Fenech Adami proposed as next President

The government has decided to nominate Eddie Fenech Adami as the next President, succeeding Guido de Marco when his term expires on April 4.

A motion will be presented in parliament this morning for debate on Monday, the government said last night.

The Labour Party said it has suggested three possible names for the post, whom it considers capable of bringing about national unity. Last night it said it would to discuss the government's "final" decision at a parliamentary group meeting tomorrow.

The government explained the sequence of events that had led the Cabinet to decide to nominate the former prime minister for the post.

The issue was on the agenda at the new Cabinet's first meeting on Tuesday. Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi informed the ministers and parliamentary secretaries he had held an informal meeting with Opposition Leader Alfred Sant the day before and had been told of the three names proposed by the opposition. Dr Gonzi informed Dr Sant that the necessary procedure called for a motion to be presented to the Clerk of the House by March 24, in order for it to be discussed the following Monday.

The Cabinet discussed the three persons proposed by the opposition as well as Dr Fenech Adami's nomination. They decided that although there existed no constitutional obligation, consultations with the opposition were to proceed and Dr Sant should be informed that the Cabinet favoured appointing Dr Fenech Adami.

Dr Gonzi yesterday met Labour deputy leader Charles Mangion, in the absence of Dr Sant, who is abroad, and explained why the Cabinet felt that their choice was the best one for the country.

Dr Mangion, the government said, agreed to communicate the decision to Dr Sant, and the presentation of the motion was postponed to today at 10 a.m. in order to give time for more discussion to take place if need be.

It was also agreed that the MLP's names would be kept confidential, partly because the persons in question had not been consulted.

Dr Mangion yesterday evening informed Dr Gonzi that Labour's parliamentary group would be meeting tomorrow. However, due to procedural deadlines, which expire today, Dr Gonzi informed Dr Mangion the motion would be presented today and debated on Monday.