Cynthia Busuttil
Appointment 'underlines women's role in society'
President George Abela's daughter-in-law, Lydia Abela, has been appointed secretary of the Labour Party's national executive, a role created by the party general conference which ended on Sunday.
The 31-year-old lawyer was unanimously approved by the newly elected executive council yesterday afternoon in a secret vote.
The conference also abolished the powerful post of party general secretary and the role which replaces it is of an administrative nature. The secretary of the executive will be appointed for two years and will not be able to contest an election.
Dr Abela, who specialises in marital, civil, industrial and maritime law, was hand-picked by Labour leader Joseph Muscat.
"Through this appointment the Labour Party is underlining the important role that women have in society," Dr Muscat said during a press conference yesterday evening.
On Sunday, during the closing speech at the party's national conference, Dr Muscat seemed to lay the ground for the appointment by saying that the new movement for progressives and moderates would be at the forefront of pushing women into politics.
However, Dr Abela's appointment was not revealed until she walked out in front of the media accompanied by the Labour leader. Her husband, the President's son Robert Abela, was also at the press conference.
"Lydia's is a success story of a woman who has succeeded and is balancing her career and her family life, and an example of the role of women within the Labour Party and the movement for progressives and moderates," Dr Muscat said yesterday, adding that five of the 12 national executive members elected last week were women.
Dr Muscat said he had approached the Cospicua-born lawyer because she embraces "the politics of thought and persuasion" and her appointment showed that the PL was a united party which was opening up to new elements.
In a short speech, Dr Abela said she felt privileged to have been chosen for the role and would work to ensure the party was inclusive and eager to open its arms even to those who did not share its ideas.
"I do not believe in the politics of shouting and noise but am interested in clean politics, which through its silence is able to think rationally and look at issues from other people's viewpoints, understanding that it is not always right. I believe in non-discriminatory politics and social justice," she said.
She said her role would be administrative as well as political since she was working within a political party. It would involve assisting Dr Muscat, the party's president, two deputy leaders and other officials.
"My role within the party will be an active one, and I will be ensuring that the party's internal structures will really reflect what we believe in as a movement, and a reflection of Maltese society."
She accepted the appointment because she believed the Labour Party gave opportunities to everyone and was an inclusive movement that safeguarded everyone's interests and promoted the role of women in society.
"Just like I had the good fortune of entering the workforce, other women should have the same opportunity and the possibility to find a balance between their work and their family."
Meanwhile, the Labour Party's parliamentary group yesterday confirmed Joe Mizzi as secretary and whip for the group.
Joe Sammut and Noel Farrugia were confirmed as assistant whips. In the same meeting, Leo Brincat, Carmelo Abela, Gino Cauchi, Anthony Agius Decelis and Joe Debono Grech were chosen as the group's representatives in the party's national executive.
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Jeremy J Camilleri
Feb 10th 2010, 15:04
N Calleja...Living mortars? About to explode are you?
Mark Piscopo
Feb 10th 2010, 09:11
@Gianninu Saliba
Why do you hate the PL? Your comments really irritate us,You are so one sided that all of your arguments do not make sense!
Gianninu Saliba
Feb 9th 2010, 20:38
By the way, Mr. Camilleri, I forgot to answer your question. I am sure that the offer is still there. If Joseph Muscat so wishes, he can nominate any one of his MPs. I am very confident that Dr. Gonzi will accommodate the request.
Mario Camilleri
Feb 9th 2010, 17:33
May i remind the PN bloggers that in italy the president was in the communist party and the government led by berlusconi being a conservative. our president as in the case of the italian president has no say in the decisions taken by the current government, and thats why the PN put DR G abela as president and not because they are democratic, honest, progressive, moderate and other useless adjectives written by Gianninu Saliba. if the PN are so progressive and have a reliable government why dont they appoint a speaker of the parliament an LP person?
A. Zahra
Feb 9th 2010, 17:01
Dr. Abela comes from the staunch the labour family from Birgu - the Zerafa. The Abela family from Qormi of her husband is also staunchly labour. There lies the greatness of The PN. It does nit discrimate against MLP supporters. It even appointed on of them to the highest post in the land - the Presidency. Well done PN, Let this be a lesson to all MLP supporters.
N.Calleja
Feb 9th 2010, 16:19
According to the Labour leaning l-Orizzont Dr Abela contested to become secretary of the Labour national Executive. Can we, living mortars, know who were the other contestants? Or is it another 'secret' matter?
Gianninu Saliba
Feb 9th 2010, 15:25
She is not only cool, but very intelligent and ambitious. She really has to be ambitious if she does sincerely believe that she turn the PL to what it never has been and to what the PN has always been... progressive, moderate, democratic, inclusive, mature, efficient, resourceful, principled and most important of all patriotic. To achieve all the above for the PL she will also have to have the qualities of Superman, or must I say Superwoman.
Pierre Micallef
Feb 9th 2010, 15:21
It seems to me this appointment underlines that women can only get ahead in Maltese society if they marry into the right family, no matter whether PN or Labour!
Muscat. Pat
Feb 9th 2010, 14:51
@Gianinu Saliba.
But you have to admit she is cool.
Gianninu Saliba
Feb 9th 2010, 14:07
Dr Abela said "I do not believe in the politics of shouting and noise but am interested in clean politics, which through its silence is able to think rationally and look at issues from other people's viewpoints, understanding that it is not always right. I believe in non-discriminatory politics and social justice."
So what is she doing within the Labour Party? There is no place for such thinking people within the ranks of this so called 'movement for progressives and moderates'.. ask Duminku, Karmenu, Fredu and the new kid on the block of what they really think about 1) Clean politics, 2) Thinking rationally, 3) No politics of noise and shouting, 4) Looking at issues from the peoples point of view (1981 election results), and 5) Believing in no discrimination. But then I admire her her for her believes... maybe that's why, as she said, she will be assisting Joseph Muscat. Yes, he needs to come to his senses and understand that he and his predecessors professed and practice the wrong philosophy and ideology, not to mention policies and principles.