Marlene Farrugia agrees with the choice of the next President but the backbench MP insists the presidency should not become an extension of a ministry.

Speaking in an interview, the Labour MP said Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca fitted the role of President but argued that policy-making at a national level is a job for the executive.

Her cautionary note referred to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s decision to expand the remit of the forthcoming presidency that will include responsibility for a number of agencies in the social field. 

Dr Farrugia has for the past year been a vocal critic of some decisions taken by her own government.

But she insisted she would never vote against the government.

“I was elected on the ticket of the Labour movement and if I feel things turn out to be different from the platform people voted for I will resign and give my seat back to the electors who chose me,” she said.

“I communicate my views regularly and the Prime Minister listens. We don’t agree on everything but the relationship is good. I do not feel marginalised.”

Full interview text in the Sunday Times of Malta and the e-paper on timesofmalta.com Premium. See excerpts above.