President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca will be spared the controversy that hit her predecessor when she delivers the ‘speech from the throne’ this morning.

The speech she will read out in Parliament at the opening of the 13th legislature is unlikely to be a replica of the partisan message former president George Abela had to read out four years ago.

By tradition, the ‘speech from the throne’ is drafted by the Prime Minister and delivered by the President. However, in a break with tradition, the government passed on a draft of the speech to the President’s Office earlier this week for her “review and suggestions”, according to a spokesman for the Office of the Prime Minister.

READ: Was the 2013 speech by the President the most divisive ever?

“In previous legislatures it was customary for the speech to be profoundly political, and by its very nature, divisive, even if that might have not always been the scope,” the OPM spokesman said.

He noted this year’s draft was not a comprehensive list of measures in the electoral manifesto.

“Government remains totally committed to its manifesto but the speech is rather a strategic overview of the direction that the country will be taking during this legislature and the quest for national unity,” the OPM spokesman said.

The decision was taken by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat following the negative reactions to the 2013 speech, which was replete with political rhetoric, calling for an end to arrogance in leadership and ending with the electoral slogan ‘Malta for all’.

The speech is a strategic overview of the direction that the country will be taking during this legislature

Dr Abela, who read out that speech, had later commented that presidents should not be forced to read “purely political” speeches that drew them into “unfortunate” controversy.

He had also suggested that the Prime Minister should deliver his own speech that lays out the political programme, while the President should be able to deliver his or her own speech.

Dr Abela’s suggestion was not taken on board in its entirety but speaking to the Times of Malta, the former president said he was looking forward to today’s delivery.

“I can reveal that what hurt the most in the speech I had delivered four years ago was the use of the electoral slogan, which was not something new to such speeches,” Dr Abela said.

He noted it was positive that the President was involved in the drafting but it had to be seen whether her suggestions were taken on board.

“It is a misnomer calling it the President’s speech because it is truly a speech drafted by the government outlining its political programme but it would be helpful to have no electoral slogans included,” Dr Abela said.

All 67 MPs elected on June 3 and in casual elections held this week will take their oath of allegiance to Parliament in a sitting that will also elect the Speaker of the House and his deputy.

Outgoing Speaker Anġlu Farrugia is expected to be reconfirmed, while the Opposition has nominated Claudette Buttigieg to serve as Deputy Speaker.

This will be Joseph Muscat’s second legislature as Prime Minister, while Simon Busuttil will occupy the post of Opposition leader until the Nationalist Party chooses his successor.

The 2013 opening speech had left then-President George Abela in an awkward position. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiThe 2013 opening speech had left then-President George Abela in an awkward position. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

What will happen today?

The Clerk of the House will read out the official election result delivered by the Electoral Commission.

A motion will be presented for the election of the Speaker, followed by a vote.

The deputy speaker will also be elected in the same manner.

The Speaker will then deliver to each of the MPs the oath of allegiance.

The President will deliver the opening address, referred to as the ‘speech from the throne’.

kurt.sansone@timesofmalta.com

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