With the extent of the new president’s powers yet to be clarified, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat yesterday insisted that putting her in charge of numerous commissions was “perfectly legal”.

In an unprecedented move, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca will, as president, be at the head of several commissions in the social field and remain responsible for the national strategy against poverty, both of which are now within her portfolio as Social Policy Minister.

In appointing her, Dr Muscat said she would not be limited to a “ceremonial” role.

But questions have been raised about the possible constitutional impediments to such a move, as past presidents have never been given such a wide remit.

The commissions of which she will be in charge are not mentioned among the president’s constitutional roles (see page 3). Times of Malta yesterday asked whether the government had sought legal advice on this matter.

Dr Muscat brushed off the suggestion that Ms Coleiro Preca would be “retaining part of her ministerial portfolio”, saying she would only be asked to lead a strategy on a nationwide policy.

“We sought advice and were told there was nothing wrong in the government delegating the overview of these systems to the president.”

He argued the nature of the other entities she would be in charge of were such that the distinction between the executive arm of the government and the presidency would be maintained.

Asked if the Attorney General gave the legal advice, Dr Muscat did not give a direct reply, saying they had “also sought advice internally”.

He denied reports Ms Coleiro Preca had laid down conditions for accepting the post, including a request to keep parts of her ministerial portfolio.

The sole intention behind her extra duties was to widen the role of the presidency, he said.