Social policy minister Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, who is widely expected to be nominated as the next President of Malta, was yesterday given a hero’s welcome during a dialogue session with the public yesterday.

Introduced by compere John Bundy as “the most popular minister in this government”, she was given a standing ovation from a packed hall.

Parliamentary secretary Franco Mercieca, who accompanied her, jokingly said the hall was “full of people from Qormi” – referring to the minister’s constituency.

Ms Coleiro Preca has steadfastly refused to answer questions about whether she is set to move to San Anton Palace to replace President George Abela when his term ends in April, saying this was the Prime Minister’s prerogative.

Neither was the subject raised during the meeting yesterday, even though people in the audience were discussing it among themselves.

In an upbeat introduction to the dialogue meeting, Ms Coleiro Preca said the social housing sector was being given priority by the government.

The government would also be addressing a number of anomalies in pensions and former dockyard workers would be tackled first as from next year

After a public call the housing authority had received 44 bids from the private sector, offering some 1,000 housing units in all. She said that while the government was committed to “eradicating poverty”, this required a long term and holistic policy which the administration was working on.

With regard to pensions, she said a team was currently working on the next stage of the reform and a report with recommendations should be presented to the government by September.

The government would also be addressing a number of anomalies in pensions and she announced that former dockyard workers would be tackled first as from next year.

Several members of the audience took the opportunity to air their personal grievances related to welfare.

The meeting was also addressed by Dr Mercieca, who is also said to be on his way to another calling in a return to his practice as an eye surgeon, although he too has kept his cards close to his chest.