The Opposition has refused to back the government’s nominee for Chief Justice, Myriam Hayman, Justice Minister Jonathan Attard said on Friday.Hayman was the second name put forward by the government after the Opposition voted down Prime Minister Robert Abela’s initial nominee, Consuelo Scerri Herrera.Speaking to journalists after meeting PN shadow justice minister Joe Giglio earlier in the day, Attard said he had been informed that the Nationalist Party was not willing to support Hayman’s nomination. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lovin Malta (@lovinmalta)According to Attard, the Opposition did not provide reasons for rejecting the nominee. He described the situation as a continued impasse in efforts to appoint a successor to outgoing Chief Justice Mark Chetcuti.Chetcuti turned 68 this month. While he has reached retirement age, he may technically remain in office until a replacement is appointed.The appointment of a Chief Justice requires a two-thirds majority in Parliament, necessitating agreement between government and Opposition. Discussions between the two sides have been ongoing since January but have so far failed to produce a consensus candidate.Attard said the government was acting in good faith to identify a nominee capable of securing broad parliamentary support. At the same time, he accused the Opposition of politicising the process, referring to public campaigning on the issue.Asked whether the government has alternative candidates under consideration, Attard said discussions were ongoing and that various options were being evaluated.The latest development comes amid heightened political tensions surrounding the appointment. Earlier this week, reports emerged that Judge Lawrence Mintoff had sent a letter containing allegations against the Prime Minister in relation to the nomination process.With the constitutional requirement for a supermajority, the selection of Malta’s next Chief Justice remains dependent on cross-party agreement — an outcome that appears increasingly elusive.What do you make about the minister’s statement?•