Michael Frendo, a former Nationalist minister, was yesterday unanimously elected as the 27th Speaker of the House of Representatives, succeeding Louis Galea who will be taking up his post at the European Court of Auditors.
At the same sitting, Karl Gouder was unanimously co-opted to the House to fill Dr Frendo's seat.
Dr Frendo was nominated to the post by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and seconded by Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat.
After taking his oath of allegiance, Dr Frendo thanked Dr Gonzi, Dr Muscat and fellow MPs. He said the agreement on his nomination filled him with courage and placed on him a major responsibility, which he accepted.
He said he was committed to be loyal to the institution and would do this while respecting the Constitution and House rules and regulations.
Dr Frendo said it was a challenge for the House to exercise its new role under the Lisbon Treaty.
He thanked Dr Galea and promised to do his utmost to follow in his steps. He said he would occupy his position in his own style and character but augured that there would also be wit and humour that traditionally distinguished Commonwealth parliaments.
In moving the motion nominating Dr Frendo as Speaker, the Prime Minister said Dr Frendo had experience in the House as an MP. As chairman of the European and Foreign Affairs Committee he had shown he was able to lead. He had indicated he had the necessary qualities to be considered in the choice of who should chair the House, having acquired trust and attracted support from both sides.
Dr Frendo also had experience that would help him carry on with the work already embarked upon by Dr Galea, especially in the select committee to strengthen democracy.
Dr Muscat said Dr Frendo would have a very hard act to follow as Dr Galea's successor.
Dr Frendo would be the first Speaker to work on the mandate under the Lisbon Treaty and has tougher obligations to adhere to, now more than ever. His role required him to lead the members of the House to maintain a united and genuine parliamentary structure while continuing to work on the improvement of the electoral process and general elections in Malta.
The House, he said, had to have the necessary tools to implement such duties. As Speaker, he would also have to continue protecting and promoting the institutions of the House, namely the Ombudsman and the Auditor General and also continue presiding over the select committee working on a number of reforms.
Dr Muscat said he was convinced Dr Frendo would be able to tackle such an agenda and lead the House ahead.
Earlier, when tendering his resignation as Speaker, Dr Galea said he had always tried to work in the country's and people's interest within the team of his choice. But when he was appointed Speaker he rose above his party's interests and worked in the interest of all without being bound to a particular party.
He thanked Dr Gonzi and former Labour leader Alfred Sant who had nominated him Speaker.
He said he had always respected all MPs, including those on the opposite side and his experience over the past two years had brought him closer to members.
In his deputy, Carmelo Abela, Dr Galea said he had found a fine collaborator who led the House in an excellent manner whenever he needed to do so.
He had a special word of thanks to party whips Joe Mizzi and David Agius and called on all members to obey them more willingly.
Dr Galea also thanked the Leader of the House, Tonio Borg, the House committees chairmen and members of the European Parliament, the Ombudsman, the Auditor General, the Clerk of the House, Pauline Abela, her deputies and other staff, including the police and public officers who collaborated with the House. He also thanked the media.
Dr Gonzi, a former Speaker himself, thanked Dr Galea for his work as Speaker over the past two years. The chair, he said, carried a major responsibility and burdened its occupier with the duty to safeguard the dignity of the House. Both sides had noticed his commitment, together with that of Mr Abela, for the institution to function.
Dr Gonzi said Dr Galea's rulings had been fair and earned the support of both sides of the House. He was convinced that the work he had embarked upon would be continued by his successor. He had risen to the challenge of leaving partisan politics behind to serve as Speaker, garnering national support.
Dr Galea would now be serving as a judge in the Court of Auditors taking on a job that had been carried out by Josef Bonnici. Dr Gonzi said he was convinced Dr Galea would continue with the good work Prof. Bonnici had been doing, giving the country a good reputation.
Dr Muscat said he found in Dr Galea a genuine interlocutor who had managed to rise above partisan politics, taking decisions in the interest of the country.
He found in the outgoing Speaker a friend with whom he could share thoughts and look ahead in the interest of the people. His work as chairman of the house select committee was commendable and progress was registered because of his ability.
"Yours will be a very hard act to follow," he said.
Earlier, Nationalist MP Karl Gouder took his oath of office as the newest member of the House of Representatives. He was co-opted to fill the seat vacated by Dr Frendo, who represented voters on the 10th electoral district.
In nominating him, Dr Gonzi said Mr Gouder was one of the candidates on the 10th district. Although a co-option permitted anyone's election, the Nationalist Party felt it was its duty to nominate someone from the same district as Dr Frendo. Mr Gouder was also young and was joining other MPs in the House at an important moment in the development of the country and the region.
His nomination was also approved unanimously.
The Nationalist Party congratulated Dr Frendo and thanked Dr Galea. It also congratulated Mr Gouder.
The Prime Minister sent a personal letter to Dr Galea thanking him for his past service and wishing him success in his new post in Luxembourg.