Carmelo Abela stepping down as Labour MP to become Speaker
His resignation will spark a casual election, or co-option
Carmelo Abela is to resign as Labour MP upon his appointment as Speaker of the House of Representatives, the government announced on Tuesday.
He is due to be sworn in on Saturday at the state opening of Parliament.
Abela could have retained his parliamentary seat while still serving as Speaker - something which has been done before - but that would have narrowed Labour's five-seat majority since an MP serving as Speaker loses his original vote, while holding a casting vote.
His resignation means a casual election will now be needed for the third district, from which he was elected. Should no Labour candidates nominate themselves, a co-option would be made by the prime minister.
The unelected Labour candidates on the third district who may nominate themselves for a casual election are former MP Ray Abela, Martina Buhagiar, James Grech and Eric Plumpton.
Carmelo Abela served as minister in several responsibilities, including foreign affairs and home affairs. He was also Deputy Speaker for several years and Labour Party whip.
He was first elected to parliament in 1996.
In a Facebook post he said he was honoured to have been asked by the government to serve as Speaker and would perform his new functions with commitment and service to the country and democracy.
He said he was giving up his parliamentary seat so that the majority as expressed by the electorate, could be respected.
The prime minister, on behalf of the government, thanked outgoing Speaker Anġlu Farrugia for his service for a record three legislatures. Robert Abela also thanked Carmelo Abela and wished him well in his new role.