Two Labour MPs voted against and 26 in favour as party leader Joseph Muscat won near unanimity within his parliamentary group yesterday over the nomination of George Abela as the next President of the Republic.

The vote was a secret one, held at the end of a heated discussion during which former leader Alfred Sant and former deputy leader George Vella were heard voicing disagreement, sources said.

An MP abstained and five were not present for the debate, being caught up with other commitments.

Contacted after the vote, the two dissenting voices would not comment.

Dr Vella said: "I will not discuss in public what was discussed in the parliamentary group. It's not on. I have no comment to make".

Asked whether his arguments during yesterday's parliamentary group meeting will have any bearing on the way he will vote when Dr Abela's nomination is moved in Parliament, Dr Vella again insisted he will not comment.

Dr Sant's reply was even shorter: "I have no comment to make".

Dr Sant and Dr Vella together with Dr Abela formed the party's winning triumvirate in 1996 before the turnaround of fortunes during the short-lived Labour Administration.

During Labour's leadership contest last year, both Dr Sant and Dr Vella had publicly denied Dr Abela's version of EU-related events between 1996 and 1998. Dr Abela had said there had been internal party discussions to try and find a compromise solution with the Nationalist opposition on the best way forward with regard to relations with the EU.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com