Dolores Cristina to call it a day

Education Minister Dolores Cristina will not contest the next election, bowing out of politics after three legislatures and two terms as minister. The mother-of-four turns 64 in January and wants to spend more time with her family. “I need to move on to a new phase in my life. I will miss politics, but I’m looking forward to having more time for my family and grand­children,” she said. Asked whether she was supporting anyone’s candidature, Ms Cristina said she always supported female candidates more than others because there was need for more women in Parliament. “There are some really good female candidates and they deserve all the support they can get. I’m sincerely hoping we’ll see more women in Parliament next year.” Ms Cristina faced calls for resignation in 2010 when the European Commission suspended funds for educational programmes. She lost the family and social affairs portfolios in the January reshuffle, but denied this had fuelled her decision. She follows Transport Minister Austin Gatt as the second Cabinet member to announce an exit from politics. Her news comes a day after it emerged a successful general election bid for Euro-parliamentarians Simon Busuttil, David...