New President urges country to move away from partisan mentality

President George Abela and the Cabinet will be working hand in hand for the benefit of the country, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday told the newly sworn-in head of state.

Malta's eighth president, Dr Abela received the Cabinet, led by Dr Gonzi, at the Palace in Valletta in the first of a series of courtesy visits at his new seat.

Dr Abela's diary is quickly filling up and apart from the Cabinet's visit he yesterday also received Archbishop Paul Cremona and Gozo Bishop Mario Grech.

In a message to the ministers, Dr Abela echoed Dr Gonzi's spirit of collaboration and said it was important that the ministers worked as a tightly-linked chain to face the global financial situation.

While there could occasionally be disagreements in the country, it was important to move away from the partisan mentality in the interest of the people, he said.

He thanked Dr Gonzi for showing trust in him when he nominated him for President - a decision that was backed by the Cabinet and unanimously approved in Parliament.

Although, formally, the President was the head of state, he said, there was no doubt the country was led by the Prime Minister and his Cabinet. And rightly so, he added, as they were elected by the people.

Mgr Grech told Dr Abela was praying for the new home -Malta and Gozo - that Dr Abela would be presiding over for the next five years.

He called on Dr Abela to be an instrument of peace and work to ensure everyone felt free.

Mgr Cremona, in his homily during the ceremonial Mass held on Saturday when the President took his oath of office, had said he believed God entrusted the country in Dr Abela's hands to uphold Catholic values.