MayAnne Perici Calascione

Your husband is standing for a very dedicated role. How do you feel about this?

For as long as I have known him, Alex has always been completely dedicated to whatever commitment he undertakes, be it in his profession, in politics, in family or in friendships. It is an aspect of his character which I have always admired and at the same time, have had to come to terms with from very early on. I therefore knew from the very first time he mentioned that he was being contacted by a number of people to consider contesting for this role, that it would mean he would be, as usual, 200 per cent committed to it. Luckily, the past 31 years of marriage have prepared me well for this!

How would your life actually change, were he to be elected?

Quite drastically, I imagine, in many ways and very much a continuation of the same, in many other ways.

You are the best person to describe your husband on a more up-close-and-personal level. How would you describe him?

Alex is an open and straightforward person. He is very focused and determined but always leaves space for debate and discussion, both in family and in other areas. He has a keen sense of fairness and very strong opinions when it comes to matters which, to his mind, cause or can cause injustice. As a friend, he is a loyal; as a father, he is accessible and understanding; as a lawyer, he is serious and focused; as a politician, he is committed and determined to do good. As a husband and life companion, he is certainly not always the easiest of people to live with, but I have to admit that with all the ups and downs which life has dealt, it has been one heck of a ride!

Is there a political issue about which you feel passionate?

The well-being of those who live on the margins of society.

What was your reaction when your husband said he would be running for party leader and how did you learn about it?

I remember we were leaving Dar

Centrali and he received a call from one of the MPs and it became clear to me what the subject was all about. He then told me that he had been considering this matter seriously for a few days but he hadn’t told me anything about it before, as he still had to reach a final decision. My first reaction was to ask if he was certain about it and whether he had taken all aspects into consideration. After he replied that he had, my next reaction was that we should let the children know and then take it from there, together as a family.

Can you give us one positive and one negative trait in your husband’s character?

I will start with the negative: He is rarely punctual, unlike me, and occasionally he still manages to drive me nuts! On the positive side, I would have to say the way he manages to always give maximum time and attention to people and to really and sincerely appreciate their problem or their situation, whatever it may be.

Why do you think PN members should elect your husband?

I am clearly biased in that, to my mind, he is definitely the right choice! This apart, I would definitely wish them to consider a character which is very strong and determined whenever the situation so requires and compromising whenever it is necessary. He has qualities that promote and enhance unity within and that project seriousness and determination in external action.

In what way does your husband help out at home?

Ok – this I shall do my best to answer as diplomatically as possible. In short, to put it in his own words, he lends substantial ‘moral support’ for which your kind and understanding readers should interpret that he very rarely cooks; limits household chores to the occasional clearing and, the height of the annual resolution, lays the joined tables for New Year’s Day

lunch.