Updated - Adds video - Social Policy Minister Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca this afternoon would not confirm or deny that the Prime Minister has asked her to be the next President.

"Such matters are the prerogative of the prime minister," she said when questioned outside the Auberge de Castille , where she emerged from a side door.

She did not reply directly to questions about reports that she was not keen to take up the appointment, saying only that the media said a lot of things, but ultimately such matters were the prime minister's prerogative.

The Sunday Times of Malta reported last Sunday that Ms Coleiro Preca, 55, is the frontrunner to become the next President. Although the Prime Minister’s shortlist included two other senior Cabinet members, he was known to favour a woman candidate.

Dr Muscat held initial consultations about the appointment with Ms Coleiro Preca early last week.

Ms Coleiro Preca has been an MP since 1998 and in the last election won the highest number of Labour votes after Dr Muscat.

 

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