Galea promises to step down if consensus on Speaker is reached

Archbishop Paul Cremona yesterday advised MPs to respect the people who elected them as the inauguration of the 11th Parliament since Independence began with Mass at St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and several MPs were present for the ceremony, though Opposition leader Alfred Sant, who resigned as party leader following Labour's March 8 election defeat, failed to make an appearance at the church.

In his sermon, Archbishop Paul Cremona outlined MPs' responsibilities - to themselves, their conscience, their party, and towards Maltese society in general.

The Archbishop urged MPs to be proactive and to help youngsters make the transition to adulthood, and reminded them that their power was given to them by the people.

Following Mass, the MPs walked to the Palace in Valletta for the legislature's first sitting.

Their walk was marred by a Graffitti Movement protest. Standing behind the barricades which had been set up all along the route from the cathedral to the Palace, the protestors held a large banner bearing the words Demokrazija Dittatorjali (Dictatorial Democracy). They blew whistles as the MPs were entering the House, calling out "shame on you", and "cry for Malta".

The sitting started with the acting Clerk of the House, Pauline Abela, reading the President's proclamation summoning Parliament, the results of the election and the casual elections.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi nominated former minister Louis Galea - who failed to be elected as an MP - as Speaker. This was seconded by Dr Sant and given unanimous approval.

The new Speaker was then escorted to the Chamber by Dr Gonzi and Dr Sant and took the oath of allegiance, to applause from both sides of the House. Nominated by Dr Gonzi and seconded by Dr Sant, Labour MP Carmelo Abela was elected deputy Speaker.

In a short address, Dr Galea thanked the House for appointing him Speaker, saying that the unanimous choice augured well for the democratic process.

Dr Galea admitted the new appointment was a new experience for him after serving in the House for 32 years. He insisted that he was now above party politics and promised to guard his impartiality and the role of Parliament and its members.

He hoped that agreement would be reached between the government and the opposition for the better running of the House and said he was willing to step down from his seat in the national interest if both sides agreed to nominate someone else for Speaker.

Deputy Speaker Carmelo Abela promised to continue to serve the House loyally as he did during the past legislature.

All 69 members of the House then took their oath of allegiance, after which the sitting was suspended. The youngest MP, Franco Debono, then gave notice of a motion to thank the President for his address, which will start being debated when the House meets again tomorrow.

Former presidents, members of the diplomatic corps, MPs' spouses and senior civil servants were among those present.