Fifteenth legislature opens with Carmelo Abela as Speaker

Malta’s new Parliament was sworn in following a state opening that began with Mass at St John’s Co-Cathedral. Carmelo Abela was unanimously approved as Speaker and former opposition leader Bernard Grech became Deputy Speaker. Speaker Abela pledged to uphold respect, free speech, justice, truth and dignity, and thanked predecessor Anġlu Farrugia for 13 years of service. Prime Minister Robert Abela and Opposition Leader Alex Borg took their oaths before other MPs, while President Myriam Spiteri Debono delivered the government’s programme for the legislature.