Parliament approves Dr George Vella’s nomination as President of Malta
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Parliament has approved George Vella as Malta’s next President, with all those present voting in favour of his appointment..
On incoming President George Vella, Prime Minister Muscat said that Vella had guided him into politics, and that he believed in him at the beginning of his political career.
“That is not one of the reasons why I nominated him for the post of President; Vella is a respectable and credible person. He is respected on both a local and international scale.”
Muscat said that Vella is a person who, earlier on in his life, had the opportunity for political power, which he refused, so that he could continue on his medical profession.
“He always told me how much he loved to spend time with clients, talking to them, which he missed greatly when he was no longer at his clinic.” He said that Vella is honest in his opinions and is not afraid to be frank and does not shy away from issues which are close to his heart.
Opposition leader Adrian Delia said that the government did not take on the Opposition’s suggestions to nominate somebody from outside the Labour Party for the post of President, at a time when national unity was needed.
Delia stressed that whilst the Opposition would be voting in favour of Vella’s nomination, the party will be moving a constitutional amendment in the coming days to ensure that Presidents could only be appointed or removed with the support of a two-thirds majority vote.
