Updated | Transport Malta clarifies CEO's ‘premature’ farewell to minister

Adds Transport Malta's clarification on Portelli's comment at 12:15pm

Transport Malta chief executive Stanley Portelli bade a premature farewell to Transport Minister Austin Gatt at the end of a press conference today, leaving journalists wondering whether Gatt's plans not to run for office were truly definite or if Portelli was considering to run for elections.

"I would like to say one last word," Portelli chimed in at the end of Gatt's address on Malta's maritime registry. "I would like to thank you for the work that was done in the last five years, this being our final press conference together." He thanked Gatt for his "hands on approach".

And that's before a vote on a no-confidence motion is taken on Thursday next week. Cue the question from the press: "What do you mean this is your final press conference?"

"No... I meant, it's something to do with my plans, as I do not know what my future holds" the flustered Portelli replied, possibly aware that he had just bade farewell to an outgoing minister.

Transport Malta clarified Portelli's comment and said it "was not in any manner linked to the purely speculative matters suggested in the article but uniquely to the fact that his definite contract of employment with TM expires in March and he is not taking its renewal for granted."

Austin Gatt is taking control of the PN's forthcoming electoral campaign should the government lose a no-confidence vote next Thursday, when rebel backbencher Franco Debono supports the Opposition's motion.

Gatt had already announced his intention last year not to run for office.

Some party sources point to Portelli as a possible candidate for the Nationalist party.

Portelli has been the chief executive of Transport Malta during some of its more courageous reforms, notably the public transport revamp. Portelli was director of MIMCOL and Malta Government Investments Ltd between 2004 and 2008.