Man, leader, PM and President

Tomorrow marks the last day of the term of Eddie Fenech Adami as President of Malta. It is not just any other day determined by our Constitution and establishing stepping stones whereby we go from one term to the next. Today is yet another milestone in the development of our political maturity as a nation and our sense of national maturity in politics.

Over the past weeks, the Prime Minister's wise choice of a person perceived as coming from the other side of the political fence has been universally, albeit not unanimously, applauded.

But, did this decision come about by accident, on a personal whim or from outright magnanimity? Or had the environment ripened enough for such a step forward? While we must acknowledge and give the merit due to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi for his bold initiative, one cannot ignore the groundwork laid by Dr Fenech Adami over the past three decades. It is therefore fitting that we pay tribute not only to the man, the political leader, the Prime Minister and the President but also to the statesman who always had a vision of one people.

His election as leader of the Nationalist Party in 1977 brought with it a heightened social consciousness, which, at the first electoral test in 1981, was rewarded with a majority backing by the Maltese people. Notwithstanding the turbulent 1980s, characterised by events that would have induced a sense of bitterness and division in lesser men, upon election as Prime Minister in 1987, his rallying call which was drummed home to the Maltese people was rikonċiljazzjoni nazzjonali. The repetition of this message and the constant example given by his style of government led to the national reconciliation message slowly filtering down and translating into an ever-increasing sense of tolerance and understanding for each other among us Maltese.

As Prime Minister of this nation, he also took to his office his high moral code, strict work ethic and sheer doggedness and determination. These were personal qualities he had shown as from his early days in politics and when synergised into his leadership of the government, led to one success after the other on the political and economic front.

His vision of an independent Malta forming part of the European Union was brought to fruition after many a year of hard work and persistence, surviving even the political hiccup of 1996, to come back with a renewed burst of energy. This energy carried us through to the referendum that decided the people's choice and the subsequent electoral victory that put paid to even the most resilient of doubters.

Having seen his vision for his nation guaranteed, Dr Fenech Adami stepped down as Prime Minister and became the President of a grateful country. At the time, some voices of disagreement were heard, doubting the wisdom of this political giant assuming the non-political role of the Presidency. One of these voices, an opposition member of Parliament nonetheless, recently wrote that she had been of that opinion then but Dr Fenech Adami's superb performance in this highest duty towards our country led her to publicly write that, with hindsight, she was proven wrong. Once again he managed to rise above even himself and steer the Presidency on a course aimed at taking it to the people it represents.

He will be remembered for his regular visits to our towns and villages, meeting people from all walks of life and using the Presidency's high profile to take the spotlight of public attention to the smallest nook and cranny of our societies. Nothing and, most importantly, nobody was considered too small or inconsequential to be worthy of the attention of him and his office and as a nation we are wealthier for it.

It is no surprise then that we are a people who today are mature enough to accept and, indeed, to welcome, the Prime Minister's decision to have George Abela as our President. We have been very ably groomed for this day by Dr Fenech Adami as politician, as Prime Minister and as President.

Thank you Eddie and welcome George... you have some mighty large boots to fill!

Dr Scerri is president of the Nationalist Party.