Parliament endorses George Abela as President
MPs hail Eddie Fenech Adami
Parliament last night approved George Abela as the eighth President of Malta, shortly after the House thanked Eddie Fenech Adami for "the dignified manner" in which he carried out his duties as President.
Five parliamentarians were absent when the vote was taken.
Labour whip Joe Mizzi said Alfred Sant, George Vella and Silvio Parnis were "excused".
Nationalist MP Mario Galea was also "excused" and efforts to contact Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando to find out why he was not present in Parliament were unsuccessful.
Both motions were moved by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and seconded by Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat.
Dr Gonzi lauded Dr Abela's qualities, adding that the President-in-Waiting loved his country and his family, which was a continuation of the values of the Maltese people championed by outgoing President Fenech Adami.
Dr Muscat said that Dr Abela's appointment was a powerful signal that the country had to move forward as one.
He said the opposition had made its political judgment of Dr Fenech Adami but it wanted to salute him for having done his duty as President over the past five years.
Dr Abela will be sworn in as President on Saturday.
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Joe Grima
Apr 2nd 2009, 16:44
Yesterday's voting session in Parliament tells it all. The whole country agrees that George Ablea represents that much needed unity between Nationalists and Labourites in this forever-divided country. That nothwithstanding, there are thiose who remain addicted to an anachronistic political polorization and who continue to row against the stream offered by their own leaders. Joseph Muscat needs no lessons on this subject because I have a feeling that he lives this life every day - the life of a leader that pushes forward while, from within his own ranks, there are influential people, some close to him, who are rowing in an opposite direction, As could be seen yesterday, age does not distinguish those who dig their heels in. It is a question of attitude Jekk ma Nilghabx inhassar. Those who did not vote for George Abela by not being present in parliament yesterday, especially those from the Labour side, should be rejected by all Maltese. I don't know Silvio Parnis , but I lknow the other three only too well. To George Abela: Good Luck Dr Abela. You are not cut from the same cloth as those who stayed away. Malta needs you and welcomes you with open arms
c.camilleri
Apr 2nd 2009, 15:58
@ Mario Bonnici.The members on the Govt side has made it clearly that they went Dr. L. Galea as President. As regards those on the opposition side it is my view that they are against G. Abela for obvious reasons. I agree with nationalist members' stand not because i am against G. Abela but because of the way the members of the executives were informed of the appointment through the press and secondly DR. L. Galea after what he has done for the party and for Malta deserves to be our President. The Nationalist Party had let down one of their best man ever who was instrumental in reviving the party after the Borg Olivier saga. I congratulate those Govt. members who decided to be counted.
J Martinelli
Apr 2nd 2009, 14:37
@ Noel Zarb
Parliament did not make the choice. The choice was made by the Prime Minister. Parliament however (both sides) endorsed Dr. Gonzi's choice and confirmed Dr. Abela as next President.
Both sides did the right thing and should be commended.
Those who were 'excused' will carry a degree of guilt for either not joining in thanking Dr. E Fenech Adami or failing to endorse the appointment of Dr. Abela as next President. Of those who were 'excused', some were not happy with neither Dr. Fenech Adami nor Dr. Abela so, to them, I say good riddance especially those who did not endorse one of their own!
Steven Camilleri
Apr 2nd 2009, 13:15
Thankyou EDDIE , you were the hope in the dark days !
Carmelo (Nenu) Aquilina
Apr 2nd 2009, 11:32
Grazzi kbira lil-Ecc.T.il-President Dr Eddie Fench Adami, Awguri minn qalbi ill Ecc. T. il-President futur Dr George Abela. Proset lill Onorevoli Sinjuri li hadu sehem f'din il-votazzjoni memorabli. Urejtu li intom Maltin ta' veru.
Mario Bonnici
Apr 2nd 2009, 10:44
Those who were not present yesterday in parliament have to explain why they didn't attend. The people who elected you have the right to know whether you were "excused" or didn't attend beacuse you are against Dr.George Abela being elected president.
Noel zarb
Apr 2nd 2009, 10:42
Best of luck to our new President. I am more than sure that parliament made the right choice!