Just for the record. It was reported on this newspaper (June 24) that a government spokesman said that, breaking with tradition, the President’s speech written and drafted by the government was sent to the Office of the President prior to the inauguration of Parliament. This is not a first.

In 2008, I distinctly remember prime minister Lawrence Gonzi sending the draft speech to then president Eddie Fenech Adami who actually changed some wording in the speech that he delivered.

As to the appointment of the Speaker, in March 2008 I was present at a meeting at Castille when Gonzi informed Alfred Sant (then outgoing leader of the Opposition) of the government’ s intention to nominate Louis Galea as Speaker of the House. No such meeting or consultation seems to have taken place this time round.

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