Eleventh Parliament opens with pomp and ceremony

The State Opening of the 11th Parliament since independence took place this morning with President Eddie Fenech Adami outlining the government's programme in an address in the House after Mass of the Holy Spirit at St John's Co-Cathedral.

The Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Mgr Paul Cremona, after which MPs walked to the House, pausing ocasionally to greet well wishers who waited behind police barriers in Republic Street.

Proceedings in the House were opened with the swearing in of the new Speaker, Louis Galea, who was escorted in the House by the Prime Minister and Opposition leader Alfred Sant. (see separate story). Labour MP Carmelo Abela was confirmed as Deputy Speaker.

The 69 MPs then took their oath of loyalty.

Meanwhile President Eddie Fenech Adami inspected a Guard of Honour on the Palace Square.

After the results of the last general election were tabled in the House, the sitting was briefly while the Speaker called on the President and invited him to address the House.

Army buglers greeted the arrival of the President at the Chamber, where he delivered his address from the chair (see separate story).

After the President left the House, Dr Franco Debono, the youngest MP on the government's benches, moved a motion to thank the President. The motion starts being debated on Monday.

Before the sitting adjourned Dr Galea expressed Happy Mothers' Day wished to the six mothers serving in the House.

The sitting was attended by former Presidents, members of the Diplomatic Corps, MPs' spouses and senior civil servants, among others.