Minister: PN told us they oppose Hayman for chief justice
This is the second nominee by the government that was refused by the Opposition
The PN has refused the government's nominee for chief justice, Myriam Hayman, Justice Minister Jonathan Attard said on Friday.
Hayman was the second government nominee for the role after the Opposition voted down Prime Minister Robert Abela's first choice, Consuelo Scerri Herrera.
On Friday afternoon, Attard told journalists he had met shadow justice minister Joe Giglio earlier in the day.
According to Attard, during that meeting, Giglio had said the PN was not willing to back the government's nominee.
"Just like they did [with Scerri Herrera], the PN did not provide a reason for refusing the nominee," he said.
The two parties have been in discussion over the appointment of a new chief justice to replace retiring Mark Chetcuti since January.
Chetcuti turned 68 this month, and technically, he could remain in office until a replacement is appointed.
His successor needs a two-thirds parliamentary majority to be approved, but the government and the opposition are still far from agreeing on a name.
Since the government's proposal of Hayman for the post last week, Times of Malta revealed that Judge Lawrence (Wenzu) Mintoff had sent a letter to the cabinet with a series of allegations made under oath against the prime minister.
Mintoff had been nominated for the post of chief justice by the PN.
On Friday, Attard told journalists outside the PL headquarters in Ħamrun that the government was acting in good faith to find a person who could have the support of the entire parliament.
At the same time, he said, the Opposition was turning the process into a "political football" by publishing political billboards on the matter.
Asked whether the government had another name in mind for the role, Attard said: "We are taking stock of our position and considering various options".
He said the impasse for selecting a name was "clearly being created by the Opposition".