She may be loved by Labourites but surprise has characterised the news that Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca is tipped to be the next president - because she is considered an asset to the Cabinet, because she is considered young at 55, and because she got the most votes for Labour after Joseph Muscat.
Labourites have long mooted Foreign Minister George Vella as the next president, with one activist saying it would be a fitting end to a long career – the Żejtun doctor will be 73 in April.
When asked by Times of Malta for a reaction to the anticipated development, a number of Labour MPs and party functionaries were unable to understand the rationale behind such a choice.
Ms Coleiro Preca still has political headway and if nominated she will be the youngest president.
She would be expected to be apolitical, truncating a political career spanning almost four decades.
In the words of columnist and former Labour finance minister Lino Spiteri, the decision would be “a mistake”.
Writing in Times of Malta yesterday, Mr Spiteri described Ms Coleiro Preca as the Cabinet’s “most respected member” and “a champion of the underprivileged”.
“As president, she will have to give up most of that. She will raise a voice for social justice, now and then. But she will not be able to take effective action,” he wrote.
It is a sentiment shared by others, who spoke to this newspaper on condition of anonymity.
All played down any notion of friction between Ms Coleiro Preca and Dr Muscat but agreed the move will weaken the Cabinet’s social dimension.
Why lose a hard-working minister who has performed rather well to a largely ceremonial role?
“I would be asking the same question you are and I do not have a reply,” a former Labour MP said.
Expressing surprise at the nomination, he insisted Ms Coleiro Preca went down well with people and was managing her ministry well.
Since becoming leader Dr Muscat has always taken decisions that were not always understood immediately
A sitting MP said the decision did not seem to make political sense because her departure will create a void in a very important ministry. “It leaves open the question of who will captain it.”
Another MP strove to venture a reason for the Prime Minister’s decision. Finding a replacement for President George Abela and his high-profile presidency was not an easy task, he said.
“With the presidency under Dr Abela being very close to the people, the Prime Minister may have concluded that Ms Coleiro Preca was the most suitable to fit the bill,” he said, noting it has been Dr Muscat’s wish to have a woman president.
But another MP emphasised the Prime Minister’s “unpredictability”.
“Since becoming leader Dr Muscat has always taken decisions that were not always understood immediately.
“He knows how to play the political chess game well and has constantly thought outside the box. This decision seems to be another such example.”
Unlikely as it may be, Dr Muscat may still make a last minute change to his plans. Many will be holding their breath as the Prime Minister holds the presidential cards close to his chest.