A strong economy above all else, government tells new parliament

The government will treat a strong economy and fiscal discipline as the precondition for all its other commitments over the next five years, President Myriam Spiteri Debono said on Saturday as she opened Malta's 15th Parliament.

Much of the entrance into Valletta was blocked off on Saturday morning to make space for the ceremonial state opening of parliament.

The ceremony began with Mass held at St John’s Co-Cathedral, concelebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi. In his homily, Galea-Curmi urged MPs to work honestly and with a commitment to unity and environmental protection.

Members of Parliament then walked down Republic Street to the House of Representatives, where they took their oaths of allegiance.

At the start of the session, parliament elected Carmelo Abela as Speaker of the House and Bernard Grech as Deputy Speaker.

Carmelo Abela as he entered Parliament on Saturday. Photo: Christian Sant Fournier.

Speaker Abela thanks House

In his first address to Parliament, Abela thanked the Members of Parliament for electing him to the role and acknowledged the responsibility that the role carries. 

"This isn't just trust in a person but in a role that should rise above the controversies of the day," he said. 

He also thanked the outgoing Speaker Anġlu Farrugia for his commitment to the role, as well as other Speakers who have taken on the role over the years. 

Abela became visibly emotional as he thanked his wife and children. "No public service happens without the support of those around us."

Bernard Grech also gave a brief speech upon being elected Deputy Speaker. He thanked MPs for trusting him in the role and committed himself to making sure parliament can be a bastion for democracy.

Meanwhile, President Myriam Spiteri Debono was greeted outside parliament upon her arrival by the Guard of Honour and accompanied by the military band.

She inspected the Guard of Honour before entering the House and declaring the legislature in session.

President gives inaugural speech

It is customary for the President to set out the elected government’s agenda in her speech.

In this case, the electoral programme is centred on the principle that a strong economy and fiscal discipline are the precondition for all other government initiatives.

President Myriam Spiteri Debono delivering the government's electoral programme. Photo: Christian Sant Fournier.

"The government's creed is that a country cannot aspire to move forward if the economy is not doing well. A people cannot aspire towards excellence if income is not being strengthened and improved," she said.

She said the recent election is a historic result that carries heavy responsibility, especially against a difficult geopolitical backdrop of conflicts with repercussions on the global economy.

The president listed several economic measures laid out in the Labour government’s electoral programme that are aimed at promoting quality foreign investment and improving working conditions.

She also referred to the government’s educational targets, which include a curriculum overhaul, reducing the early school-leaving rate to below 8%, and raising the graduation rate to 50%, with an emphasis on STEM subjects.

“This is a plan of action that seeks to ensure the country can move forward and allow everyone the opportunity to succeed,” she said.

The President mentioned the government’s intention to provide more financial support to first-time buyers, including by introducing a buyers’ charter and property register. She said the culture and rate of home ownership in Malta remain strong, and the government intends on maintaining this.

“The government believes that it has a duty to regulate the property market to help in the best way possible those who are in the process of buying a property, those who are already homeowners, and renters,” she said.

On health, the President said the government is committed to regenerating St Luke’s Hospital, expanding Mater Dei’s emergency department, and introducing free psychologist check-ups as a pilot.

The President also listed the government’s environmental pledges, which include generating a quarter of Malta’s energy from renewable sources by 2030, a 40 per cent cut in emissions against 2005 levels, and legal protection for Manoel Island and White Rocks.

In a brief reference to planning and construction, the President said the government would “use discipline in areas of ongoing public concern, like building, planning, and use of public spaces”.