As many have speculated, favourite candidate Dr George W. Vella will be sworn in as Malta’s 10th President in April, when current Head of State, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca’s term will end.

A little while ago, a senior government source named Dr George Vella, the former Labour Party Foreign Minister, as “the right person for the job, and a respected figure,” and now, the news has just been made official. Dr Vella was reluctant to accept at first, but will now follow in the footsteps of Her Excellency Marie-Louise, the second woman to be appointed as President.

Of Malta’s past nine presidents, only Sir Anthony Mamo wasn’t a former member of parliament. He served as the Chief Justice before being appointed Malta’s first president in 1974. All the other presidents of the republic – Anton Buttigieg, Agatha Barbara, Ċensu Tabone, Ugo Mifsud Bonici, Guido de Marco, Eddie Fenech Adami, George Abela and Marie Louise Coleiro Preca – were former senior government ministers or MPs. Eddie Fenech Adami was the only prime minister to go on and become president.

What do you think about George Vella being appointed as the new President of Malta?