Former Presidents Eddie Fenech Adami and Guido de Marco have backed Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi's view that Independence Day should be Malta's National Day, but former Prime Minister Alfred Sant has dubbed the move as a trick by Dr Gonzi.

Independence Day will be celebrated tomorrow and Dr Gonzi insists it should become the National Day because it mark's Malta's birth as a sovereign state.

Dr Fenech Adami said that in terms of Constitutional development, Independence Day was the natural choice.

Prof de Marco said that unlike Victory Day, which celebrated Maltese victories in collaboration with the Knights and the British, Independence Day celebrated the efforts of the Maltese on their own.

He insisted, however that this as not something which could be imposed as a National Day.

Dr Sant said this was the usual trick by Dr Gonzi to distract the people from the country's problems. It also showed that the PN wanted to have its way on everything.

Ordinary people also have mixed view on the issue (See video above).

Malta currently has five national holidays but no National Day. The holidays are March 31, June 7, September 8, September 21 and December 13.

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Full story in The Sunday Times.