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Dr. G. Abela waving to the people as a normal citizen - This month, Malta experienced a historical event which was a first in Maltese Constitutional history. After the choice of the first President of the Republic, Sir Anthony Mamo in 1974 after Malta declared itself a republic within the Commonwealth. Sir Anthony Mamo had been Malta’s last High Commissioner representing the British Monarch, in this case Queen Elizabeth II as sovereign head of Malta. Malta’s first President, who has passed away not long ago at a venerable age, was the obvious choice to make the transition go smoothly. The unanimous parliamentary choice of Dr. George Abela followed a series of politically appointed Presidents who in one way or another were shunned by the opposing party. The idea of asking Dr. George Abela was of the Prime Minister, his idea was immediately seconded by the Leader of the Opposition resulting that for the first time we have a President who represents the whole Maltese political spectrum albeit his close connections with the Malta Labour Party and the General Workers Union. These connections will not hamper him in being a true representative of Malta as he had always shown his ideas even if they went against the mainstream of the organization he had been a member of. This picture depicts the neo-chosen President saluting the crowd in front of St John’s Co-Cathedral, this was the last time for Dr. George Abela to wave to the people as a normal citizen as from that day onwards he would have the delicate and onerous job of steering Malta’s course in international politics with political impartiality. Although the role of the President is mainly ceremonial he might be called upon to assess Malta’s situation and consult and give his views and advice to both the incumbent Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition on delicate and sensitive matters.