Franco Mercieca defensive on questions about his future

Parliamentary secretary for active ageing Franco Mercieca has refused to comment on a report published by this newspaper breaking the news that the junior minister was considering returning to his full-time job.

Yesterday, MaltaToday revealed that Mercieca was considering stepping down from his minister's role to resume his ophthalmological practice. When this newspaper sought Mercieca's comments, he refused to confirm or deny his intentions, stating that such matters were the Prime Minister's "prerogative".

He however admitted to being "more attracted" to his profession as an ophthalmologist than to politics: "I am at the peak of my career, with skills that are not being put to use in my role as parliamentary secretary."

During today's launch of the national dementia strategy, Mercieca was asked by journalists to confirm or deny the MaltaToday report.

Insisting that the press conference was about dementia and not about his role, Merceica refused to entertain the journalist's questions.

Taking a defensive stand, Mercieca said any questions not dealing with dementia should be sent by email.