Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca has advised the next President of the Republic to “grow a thick skin” to survive the onslaught of unjust criticism.
“That was my experience serving in this office… and that advice is even more relevant if it were to be a woman President,” she told Times Talk.
Dr Coleiro Preca’s term comes to an end in April. Her successor has not yet been named though speculation is mounting that former Foreign Minister George Vella will assume the role.
In one of her last interviews before her term expires, the President fought off criticism, saying her role was tougher simply because she is a woman.
The former Labour minister recently faced an onslaught of criticism after heading a trade delegation to Dubai, where she was accompanied by a developers’ group, among others.
“There were seven other presidents before me, and I never heard any criticism about them leading a trade delegation. Did you ever hear criticism against my male predecessors because of their attire, because they wore a red, black or grey tie? Women should be evaluated by their substance not by their looks,” she charged.
There were seven other presidents before me, and I never heard any criticism about them leading a trade delegation
When it was pointed out that the attacks against her stemmed from the fact that she was accompanying a lobby group which was promoting high-rise buildings, which she had previously spoken against, she replied: “why do we simply label all developers?... but that doesn’t mean I can’t talk about the need to protect the environment.”
Watch: 'No legal proof of what Pilatus Bank was doing', says President Coleiro Preca
She also stood by her comment that there is still no legal proof of wrongdoing against Pilatus Bank, despite the European Central Bank’s decision to suspend its licence.
“I can’t speculate. I speak about facts. The President of the country should not succumb to speculation or speak about partisan matters,” she said, insisting her comments were taken out of context by certain media houses.
Looking back at her five-year term, she cited the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the Paqpaqli incident as the low points of her presidency.
During the Paqpaqli incident of 2015, a luxury car had lost control and careened into spectators, injuring 26 people. Dr Coleiro Preca’s office has rejected claims that her office was directly responsible for the management of a charity motorshow despite claims to the contrary by her predecessor George Abela.
She said she had not spoken to Dr Abela about the case and said she might comment publicly once the case is decided by the courts.
“I hope justice will be served and the truth comes out in court – if need be after that I will speak out,” she said.
Dr Coleiro Preca said she had done her utmost throughout the five years, despite the limitations imposed by the constitution, and insisted it was up to the people decide whether her term was a successful one or not.