Editorial

Like his three immediate predecessors, Eddie Fenech Adami finds himself at the centre of political controversy when this morning he takes the oath as seventh President of the Republic. The nominations of Dr Censu Tabone, Dr Ugo Mifsud Bonnici and Professor Guido de Marco were all hotly contested by the Labour Opposition of the time.

The fact that until barely a month ago Dr Fenech Adami was prime minister and leader of the Nationalist Party has added an extra dimension to the MLP's opposition to his nomination. In fact all of Dr Fenech Adami's predecessors as President, bar the first, were leading figures of their respective parties - but, unlike him, they were never party leaders. So it is practically impossible, the Opposition argues, for such a politically divisive figure to be the symbol of the unity of the nation, as the office of President requires its holder to be.

In his 27 years as party leader, 15 of which as prime minister, Dr Fenech Adami was no doubt revered and reviled in equal measure. However, it is worth underlining that on gaining power in 1987 he embarked on a process of national reconciliation, even though many of his own supporters were in no mood for it.

That process took some time to take root, but there is hardly anyone today who does not agree that the political climate in the country today is much calmer than that of the turbulent Seventies and early to middle Eighties. Credit for this must go also to Alfred Sant, who managed to exorcise the demon of political violence from the Labour Party soon after he became its leader in 1992, making sure the reconciliation process was not jeopardised during his brief tenure as prime minister.

Of course Dr Fenech Adami made mistakes; of course some of his actions may have badly affected some classes of people and individuals; of course his performance in certain areas fell short of projections or expectations. But certainly no-one blames him for bringing this country back to normal.

And if all the five Presidents who were formerly front-line politicians managed to rise above their partisan past and become respected symbols of national unity, it would be more than safe to assume that Dr Fenech Adami, in his new role, would equally rise above party politics and be a President for all Maltese.

A seasoned politician with a wide range of experience, highly respected by foreign governments and international organisations, Dr Fenech Adami can undoubtedly call on that experience and respect to be an excellent representative of Malta and its people.

It is perhaps this, more than any other factor, which prompted the new prime minister, Dr Lawrence Gonzi, and his Cabinet, to pick Dr Fenech Adami as the successor to Professor Guido de Marco. Their choice was also influenced by the fact that within four weeks, on May 1, Malta will be joining the European Union. Having waged a tough, 24-year campaign to take Malta inside the EU, and finally succeeded, it will be of great satisfaction to Dr Fenech Adami to preside, as head of state, over the bringing of this long process to fruition.

Dr Fenech Adami's tenure will not be without its problems, to be sure. Former finance minister Lino Spiteri, in his column in this issue, prospects the very real possibility of a Labour victory in 2008, and a Labour government insisting, for example, on the withdrawal of the Presidential pardon to Zeppi l-Hafi.

Dr Fenech Adami is well aware of his new constitutional duties and obligations in a parliamentary democracy and will no doubt act accordingly. Dr Sant has insisted that the Opposition will not "fall into the trap" of boycotting the President, and that they knew how to distinguish between the man and the office. We are sure that, in due course, there will be no need for such a distinction.

This morning's swearing-in of Dr Fenech Adami means the end of Guido de Marco's five-year term as President. It is a reflection of his character that it is on the cards that he will now take on another highly visible public role.

Professor de Marco's vast knowledge of international affairs, his numerous contacts with world leaders, have ensured that he made the most of his office and of his numerous official trips abroad to "sell" Malta to the best of his ability.

President de Marco also ensured that, through his constant contacts with various sectors of Maltese society and a vast range of individuals - contacts which he clearly enjoyed - he brought the Presidency as close as possible to the people.

To both the incoming and outgoing Presidents go our best wishes.