Former President de Marco ‘critical but stable’

Former President Guido de Marco was in a “critical but stable condition” yesterday evening after he developed complications following a scheduled heart procedure in the morning.

He is being treated in cardiac intensive care.

Prof. de Marco, who is 79, has been undergoing dialysis treatment for a kidney condition for several years.

A spokesman for the Health Department said his condition was stable but had not changed much since yesterday morning.

Prof. de Marco’s family has appealed to the public to be discreet, after the hospital was inundated with phone calls in a show of solidarity which the family said they greatly appreciated.

Soon after the story broke on timesofmalta.com, it was flooded with comments from readers wishing him a speedy recovery.

Prof. de Marco’s son Mario, the Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, cancelled all his activities yesterday to be at his father’s side.

The former President, has also served as deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior and Justice and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Justice.

He presented Malta’s application for EU membership in July 1990. In September of the same year, he was elected president of the United Nations General Assembly.