The nomination of George Abela as our next President was welcomed by a majority of the people. Of course, there will always be those who disagree.

In his welcoming speech, Labour leader Joseph Muscat attempts to give the impression that it is only because he (Dr Muscat) agreed that Dr Abela will become President.

Dr Muscat must know that the Prime Minister has the authority and the right to nominate Dr Abela whether or not the opposition Leader agrees.

The Labour delegates who elected Dr Muscat as the party leader rather than Dr Abela are probably feeling a bit foolish, because the man they turned down will now become the head of state.

With Dr Abela as President, Dr Muscat will find it hard not to agree to a pairing agreement with the government in Parliament.

Lawrence Gonzi is an astute politician. Is he perhaps trying to lull the Labour Party faithful into a sense of over-confidence because they may be led to believe that now that a former deputy leader of the Labour Party will become President, the outcome of the next election (though it is at least four years away) is a foregone conclusion.

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