Editorial

Eddie Fenech Adami was yesterday sworn in as Malta seventh President. He is the first Maltese politician to have been elected to the highest office after serving as the country's Prime Minister. This latter detail is both an achievement as well as a bone of contention. For it is the main reason which has pushed the Labour Party in opposition to take such a strong stand against his nomination. In fact, Labour leader Alfred Sant has even described yesterday as "a day of mourning".

Dr Fenech Adami has rightly been hailed in his new high office. The Times was reflecting widespread sentiment when it queried whether it was absolutely necessary and in the national interest that the outgoing Prime Minister and former Nationalist Party leader should substitute Guido de Marco in the Presidency. That should not, however, in any way diminish the respect that Dr Fenech Adami deserves not only because of the high office he now occupies but also because of his standing and the contribution he has made to this country.

Yet, his nomination by the government is somewhat shrouded in mystery, especially in view of the names that are now being mentioned as having been among the candidates. Just to focus on one - George Abela - one is justified in asking why Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi did not press for his nomination to go through. If the Labour Party was not happy with Dr Abela neither was it with Dr Fenech Adami's and, yet, the government still proceeded with nominating and eventually electing the latter as the new President.

In view of this development both party leaders ought now to publicly explain what was really happening.

Dr Gonzi needs to explain why he let Dr Abela's nomination fall through and press on with Dr Fenech Adami's.

Dr Sant, on the other hand, must let the people know why his party was not happy with Dr Abela. It certainly cannot be said that Dr Abela has PN tendencies. And does Dr Sant mean to say that for a President to inspire national unity the incumbent must harbour Labour inclinations or, rather, be acceptable to him?

This is of course not the first time that the MLP has objected to nominees for the Presidency. It did so in Censu Tabone's case, then even boycotting him for some time. It was also all out against Prof. de Marco's nomination.

Usually common sense prevails and, for better or for worse, things eventually work out. Dr Sant has already let it be known that the MLP will fulfil all its constitutional obligations towards the Presidency.

On his part, President Fenech Adami has declared that: "I am well aware that there are those who disagreed with my nomination, nevertheless I guarantee that I shall do all that is in my power to be truly worthy of this office".

He also pledged he would be working hard "to truly foster unity among the Maltese".

Judging by the track record of the bumpy relationship between Dr Fenech Adami as Prime Minister and PN leader and Dr Sant one can only augur that the present relations between them will not turn too sour along the route.

This is a tricky situation for Dr Gonzi which he must handle with the utmost care and astuteness.

The same applies to Dr Sant.

They both owe it to the people to make sure that the country's constitutional institutions function as befitting a modern civilised democracy.