Anglu Farrugia was sworn in as Speaker of the House of Representatives this morning following a motion moved in the new Parliament by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

Opposition leader Lawrence Gonzi strongly objected to the motion and the appointment was made after a division, with 39 votes in favour and 30 against.

In his speech, Dr Gonzi said the Opposition objected to the appointment, saying this was a mistaken decision about which the Opposition had not been consulted and something which sowed division.

Dr Gonzi said this country needed unity, not division in such important times.

He said the Opposition was reiterating that it would be constructive and it would cooperate with the government for job creation, sound finances and better quality of life for the people. 

The Opposition's actions in parliament would be based on what it believed to be in the interests of the country. 

He said the Opposition had collaborated with the government over the past days such as in changes of protocol on Freedom Day and the parliamentary programme. It had agreed to nominate a deputy speaker after the then opposition refused in the past three years.

But the government was not reciprocating. It appeared to want to tease and even challenge the opposition, as was the case with the appointment of the coordinator of the Constitutional Convention, a pity since the Opposition had had a lot to offer in this sector.

The government had also not consulted the Opposition in the appointment of the Speaker. This was in sharp contrast to what happened in the past. The former government had offered the Speaker's chair to the Labour opposition. He as prime minister had also always sought consensus on all constitutional appointments.

The present government consulted the social partners on the chairmanship of the MCESD, the majority objected, and it steam rolled over them. With regard to parliament, the prime minister did not even have the courtesy of consulting him.

Dr Gonzi insisted that in view of its big majority, the Speaker should have been appointed from within the government majority. The constitution itself spoke of how the first preference in the appointment of the Speaker should be to appoint the Speaker from the government.

Such an appointment should not have been used by the prime minister to make friends with the person whom he had 'politically assassinated' - to use Dr Farrugia's own words.

Dr Gonzi said the Opposition would continue to respect the Chair because Dr Farrugia was not to blame for what was happening.

Replying, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said the message sent by the people on March 9 had not been heard by the Opposition.

He had expected disagreement, but he had expected a more positive start to the legislature. The Opposition had spoken like the end of the world was near.

The government remained ready to work with the Opposition. Labour was elected on the slogan Malta Taghna Lkoll and he hoped the Opposition would let its members join government institutions so that they could work in the national interests.

Speaker Anglu Farrugia is escorted into the Chamber by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Opposition leader Lawrence Gonzi.

SPEAKER SWORN IN

Dr Farrugia was then sworn in. He thanked the prime minister for having nominated him and for the deputy prime minister for seconding him.

He said he was honoured to be serving the people in parliament and he viewed his appointment with enthusiasm to ensure that Parliament remained the best forum where the rules of democracy prevailed.

He underscored the need for efficiency and said waste of time would be an abuse of democracy.

He said he would rise above politics, with his loyalty being to the people and the Constitution. He would preside fairly and ensure that the rights of all MPs were protected, including the rights of the minority.

He would also follow up the good work of his predecessor Michael Frendo to make the administration of parliament independent of the Executive.

Censu Galea was then appointed Deputy Speaker on a motion moved by the prime minister and seconded by the Leader of the Opposition.

MPs take their new places in parliament. Nationalist MPs are now on the left of the Speaker.