Malta Union of Teachers senior vice president Marco Bonnici has formally launched his bid for the top post, which will become vacant once incumbent Kevin Bonello's term expires.

Mr Bonnici, 41, is the second candidate for the MUT Presidency following the bid launched a few days ago by Franklin Barbara, who has been the union's general secretary since 2007.

Addressing a news conference outside the Floriana Primary School, Mr Bonnici said that he chose to start his campaign at the same place when 98 years before the union had been set up.

Flanked by a number of MUT council members who are supporting his candidature he said that the teaching profession was going through a crisis, partly due to unattractive conditions of work as well as decisions being taken from outside without any consultation at all.

Mr Bonnici said that as MUT President he would seek to conclude all collective agreements within a six-month timeframe and set up a foundation which would focus exclusively on the educational aspect.

The election is scheduled for next month. Incumbent Kevin Bonello recently announced he would be stepping down after a decade at the helm of the union.