It is really sad to read on newspapers and hear on the radio and TV some of our most prominent political observers commenting on the choice of the new President and attributing various merits or demerits to the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition: that what we are seeing is a political chess game between the leaders of the two main parties, that cunning Joseph Muscat kicks George Abela upstairs to eliminate a potential dangerous political rival within his party, that crafty Lawrence Gonzi has out-manoeuvred the inexperienced Dr Muscat, that by his choice Dr Gonzi has solved his internal political problems by relieving himself of having to make a difficult choice between strong rivals within his party for the Presidency and/or the next Maltese European Commissioner, and so on.

How pathetic! In the only instant in recent history when the leaders of the two main parties show unprecedented courage and political maturity we have to turn everything into a circus. Can we not at least attribute to these two leaders the merits of trust and courage? Can we not rejoice for once the victory of common sense over egoistic interests in the local political arena? Can we not attribute to these two leaders the benefit of having decided to bury their political hatchet and put the interests of the country first? Have we not heard one state that "yes, together everything is possible" and the other introduce the concept of a "new season in politics". Perhaps, yes, this is time when mere slogans are turning out to be true - a bold, historic occasion of national unity.

Let us indeed celebrate this unprecedented event and hope that indeed we are now turning a new leaf - that Malta, forever so divided right in the middle, is for the first time in decades being lead by true national leaders.