New Opposition Leader on October 1

Labour leader Joseph Muscat will be co-opted to Parliament and appointed Leader of the Opposition on October 1, the House Business Committee agreed yesterday morning.

The House meets on September 29 after the summer recess. Then, a Labour MP elected in a casual election will announce his resignation, vacating his seat for Dr Muscat, the House Committee said.

The Labour MPs who were elected through a casual election were Owen Bonnici, Gavin Gulia, Joe Debono Grech, Joseph Cuschieri, Joe M. Sammut and Chris Agius. The MLP has so far refused to say who of them will step down. The announcement is expected to be made by the MP himself in the House.

The House Committee agreed that on October 1 the Leader of the House will move a motion for Dr Muscat to be co-opted to the House. He will then be sworn in as Leader of the Opposition by the President.

Dr Muscat is due to resign from the European Parliament later this month. He was elected leader of the Labour Party last June.