Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca.

The Opposition will back the appointment of Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca as the next president of Malta when it comes up for a vote in Parliament.

The announcement was made after a discussion held within the PN parliamentary group.

The Nationalist Party said its decision was in spite of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat having missed a unique opportunity to follow the excellent example set in the choice of President George Abela five years ago.

While Dr Muscat did not have the decency to consult on the matter “maturely”, the party wanted the country to unite behind the new president.

Ms Coleiro Preca, now in her last days as Social Policy Minister, will be delighted at the news. In an interview with The Sunday Times of Malta, she said she would “greatly thank God” if the PN voted in her favour.

The first time that an opposition has voted for somebody from the government side becoming Head of State

This will be the first time that an opposition has voted for somebody from the government side becoming head of State.

The appointment of Dr Abela, a former Labour deputy leader, had also been unanimous but Labour sat on the opposition benches at the time.

Ms Coleiro Preca, whom Dr Muscat yesterday described as his best minister, has revealed she initially turned down the Prime Minister’s offer to become the ninth president and was actually saddened at the prospect.

But she was won round when he expressed willingness to give her new roles – she will be in charge of the country’s poverty strategy and a number of commissions in the social field.