Louis Galea sworn in as Speaker
Louis Galea has been sworn in as the new Speaker of the House of Representatives while Labour MP Carmelo Abela has been sworn in as Deputy Speaker for another term.
Dr Galea was escorted into the Chamber of the House by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Opposition Leader Alfred Sant and took the oath of allegiance from the Chair. There was applause from both sides of the House.
In a short address he thanked the House for having appointed him, particularly the prime minister for nominating him and Dr Sant for seconding his nomination.
Dr Galea said that after having served in the House for 32 years almost equally divided between the opposition and the government, serving from the Chair in the middle of the Chamber was a new experience.
Dr Galea said he wanted to apologise for any mistakes he made during his political life, or for having offended anyone.
He said that while in the past 40 years of political life had had served according to the principles of a political party he would henceforth act above party politics and would jealously guard his impartiality and the role of Parliament and its members.
Dr Galea said he was aware of the talks taking place between both sides for the better running of the House and augured that agreement would be reached. He said that in the national interest, he would be prepared to step down if both sides agreed to nominate somebody else.
Labour MP Carmelo Abela was then sworn in as Deputy Speaker and promised to serve the House loyally as he did in the past legislature.
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17 Comments
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Mike Magri
May 12th 2008, 16:06
Hey... You know what....???
I think that this is going to ruin his Piano lessons....!!!!!
Oh Well.... I guess Dr. Galea will have ample time for these lessons, when he becomes the President of The Republic of Malta, in a few months time...!!!!
C.E. Taliana
May 11th 2008, 10:18
And yet another ''part-time'' farmer takes the spot.
Wistin Schembri
May 11th 2008, 08:55
@ Martin Camilleri
Isn't this appointment in line with MLP's proposal?
Martin Camilleri
May 11th 2008, 07:52
PN always the same. Jobs for the blue eyed boys.
Joe Vella
May 10th 2008, 20:57
My only comment is; CONGRATULATIONS, LOUIS GALEA
A Abela
May 10th 2008, 18:48
He deserves more.. lets make him President
Joe Martinelli
May 10th 2008, 18:21
Supporters of the Malta Negative Party always have lots of words, unfortunately with little substance. Their main strength is their constant knee jerk reaction to everything the government does simply because they find themselves, once more in Opposition.
To the one who asked whether it is normal for the Opposition to second the nominee for his/her appointment as Speaker of the House, the answer is yes since formal discussions always take place between the two represented parties and especially when there exists a narrow majority. There is nothing for the Opposition to gain from not endorsing a Speaker who was not elected for either party
Louis Galea has served the country well in any position he occupied and will no doubt make a good Speaker.
Had Labour won the election, one can be assured that they would have scratched the back of one of their own if only to prove that they were a government of the Laburisti first and foremost - as openly promised!
M Camenzuli
May 10th 2008, 17:32
Louis Galea has acquitted himself with dignity and elegance today in the opening of Parliament and, despite its bellicose noises before, the Opposition to its credit has seconded his appointment. Critics of his choice here are obviously prejudging the man himself and have not given themselves time to judge the merits of his conduct as Speaker. As usual in mediocre circles, prejudice - rather than merit - reigns.
Byron Camilleri
May 10th 2008, 16:53
Dear Salv Gatt - You said "then we would know whether the MLP would be in the right track to change and show us that their main interest is to see our country move forward."
What kind of idtiots, you think, the MLP are. If the MLP accept the speaker position, it will be for the main interest of the PN and not of Malta!
So come on, and speak the truth, you can do better :)
Marco Spiteri
May 10th 2008, 16:53
Salv Gatt has a valid point. The MLP have a lot to learn. Thus as opposition the MLP should first start and see how the PN acted when in oposition and act likewise.
A Abela
May 10th 2008, 16:34
Is it a norm that the Leader of the Opposition seconds the nomination or is it a gesture of goodwill?
Dr.Emmy Bezzina, B.A.,Dip.S.Th.,LL.D.
May 10th 2008, 15:43
OH......what a Party it has been....All IN THE FAMILY...same Circle......already the word is going round as to who the next PRESIDENT will be: some backs must be well and truly scratched out by now......& as for the People`s Interests....well these same Moralists want to teach us how to harbour VALUES in our Lives....LET US NOT GO THAT WAY DEAR FELLOW COUNTRYMEN,as THAT WAY MADNESS LIES FOR RIGHTEOUS MEN !
Emmy Bezzina
LEADER : Alpha Liberal Democratic Party
alpha@emmybezzina.org.
============================================================
J. Borg
May 10th 2008, 15:17
Why don't they let this poor lad, retire in peace at his Fawwara abode, changing his part-time farmer activity to full-time, and reading a book or two about Auxiliary Workers Schemes and other complicated stories about charitable deeds with those hailing from particular electoral districts.
r borg
May 10th 2008, 14:49
It’s the usual PN no surprise when choosing key people They have to have a degree in blue, blue and more blue. No matter what the voters said. He is the blue rainbow of the new legislation.
Jeff Kawki
May 10th 2008, 13:31
Unfortunately we are in a country where's the main policy is ''scratch my back and I scratch yours''
Salv Gatt
May 10th 2008, 13:17
I am truly sorry for you Mr. David Gatt. Clearly you do not know anything about politics and you should have understood what was written in the article before you put pen to paper and scribble what you had in mind. Dr. Louis Galea is a very valid person for that post and with all his experience in the House of Representatives our PM could not have made a better choice. Now let's wait and see what the Labour Party would be deciding once they elect their leader. If they want to take the offer to nominate one from their MPs for this prestigious place then we would know whether the MLP would be in the right track to change and show us that their main interest is to see our country move forward.
David Gatt
May 10th 2008, 12:36
What a pathetic government! People clearly didn't want Louis Galea anymore, still Gonzi persists in pushing in the same old faces. Is this the 'new blood' Gonzi promised?