Social Solidarity Minister Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca has accepted to be nominated as Malta's ninth President and the government is expected to announce the nomination this week.

Discussions between Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Ms Coleiro Preca, who was initially reluctant to take on the post, were concluded by mid-last week.

The talks explored the possibility of giving the President more of a guardianship role on social issues like poverty and social exclusion.

Ms Coleiro Preca has declined to comment throughout the week after The Sunday Times of Malta revealed she was the frontrunner for the nomination.

A stalwart who was elected Labour general secretary at 21, Ms Coleiro Preca will be the youngest person to be made President at the age of 55 and also the second woman nominated for the post after Agatha Barbara.

More in The Sunday Times of Malta tomorrow.

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