Louis Galea has been sworn in as the new Speaker of the House of Representatives while Labour MP Carmelo Abela has been sworn in as Deputy Speaker for another term.

Dr Galea was escorted into the Chamber of the House by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Opposition Leader Alfred Sant and took the oath of allegiance from the Chair. There was applause from both sides of the House.

In a short address he thanked the House for having appointed him, particularly the prime minister for nominating him and Dr Sant for seconding his nomination.

Dr Galea said that after having served in the House for 32 years almost equally divided between the opposition and the government, serving from the Chair in the middle of the Chamber was a new experience.

Dr Galea said he wanted to apologise for any mistakes he made during his political life, or for having offended anyone.

He said that while in the past 40 years of political life had had served according to the principles of a political party he would henceforth act above party politics and would jealously guard his impartiality and the role of Parliament and its members.

Dr Galea said he was aware of the talks taking place between both sides for the better running of the House and augured that agreement would be reached. He said that in the national interest, he would be prepared to step down if both sides agreed to nominate somebody else.

Labour MP Carmelo Abela was then sworn in as Deputy Speaker and promised to serve the House loyally as he did in the past legislature.