The final round

With two weeks to the general election, Herman Grech takes a snapshot of Malta's next prime minister.

Alfred Sant

Date of birth: February 28, 1948 - Pietà.

Status: Single, Father to Marta.

Education: University of Malta; Institute International d'Amministration Publique in Paris; Boston University; Harvard Business School.

Employment: First Secretary at Malta Mission to the European Community in Brussels; Adviser to Ministry of Parastatal Industries; Managing Director of Medina Consulting Group; Deputy Chairman of the Malta Development Corporation; Consultant in public and private sectors.

Other posts: Chairman of the Ġużè Ellul Mercer Foundation; editor of Il-Ħelsien.

Elections contested: 1987; 1992 (Elected); 1996 (E); 1998 (E); 2003 (E).

Political posts: Chairman of the MLP Department of Information (1982-1984). President of the MLP (1984-1988); Labour leader (1992- ); Prime Minister (1996-1998).

Strengths: Good analytical skills; intellectual; clean track record; has a no-nonsense approach to politics.

Weaknesses: Uncharismatic; often showed bad judgment; obstinate.

Biggest achievements: Adopted a zero-tolerance attitude to violence in the party; had the tenacity to open the discussion on divorce; left several previous political appointees in their post; had a showdown with Dom Mintoff (albeit, at a price).

Biggest mistakes: Opposed EU membership; refused to accept referendum result; forcing the best minds around him to quit; replaced VAT with a hotchpotch of taxes; hiked up water and electricity bills; suggested the devaluation of the lira.

Curiosities: Established writer and playwright and has published several books; lists sleeping as one of his hobbies; thinks eating three meals a day is ridiculous; has no TV at home.

Lawrance Gonzi

Date of birth: July 1, 1953 - Valletta.

Status: Married to Catherine née Callus with three children David, Mikela, Paul.

Education: University of Malta.

Employment: Lawyer in private firm; chairman of Mizzi Organisation.

Other posts: Heavily involved in voluntary sector; president of the Malta Catholic Action Movement.

Elections contested: 1987; 1996 (Elected); 1998 (E); 2003 (E).

Political posts: Speaker of the House (1988-1996) Opposition party whip (1996-1998); Shadow Minister for Social Policy (1996-1998); PN general secretary (1997-1998); Social Policy Minister (1998-2003); PN deputy leader (1999-2004); Prime Minister (2004- ).

Strengths: Excellent communication skills; charismatic, has long-term vision; clean track record; a doer; has the ability to inspire.

Weaknesses: Sometimes seems to be indecisive; displays an aversion to criticism.

Biggest achievements: Turned round the country's finances; introduced the euro; set strict deadlines for completion of Mater Dei Hospital.

Biggest mistakes: Ignored calls to reshuffle Cabinet; refused to sack certain members of his team when accused of glaring shortcomings; allowed problems at the Malta Environment and Planning Authority to grow.

Curiosities: Youngest-ever Speaker of the House; great-nephew of former Archbishop Michael Gonzi; washes down his heartburn tablets with coffee; played football with Fgura; supports FC Inter; has a cat called Qattusa.