Update3 Adds OMP's reply to Dr Gonzi, former PM's reply
The new parliament building will be inaugurated by President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca after Lawrence Gonzi turned down the Prime Minister's invitation.
In December 2012, Joseph Muscat had said that a Labour government would invite Dr Gonzi to open the “monument to extravagance”.
The remark was made days before the PN government headed by Dr Gonzi was defeated on a crucial Budget vote and the then prime minister was forced to call an election.
The Speaker’s Office has confirmed that the new building would be inaugurated by the President on May 4 in a 90-minute ceremony.
In a statement, the Office of the Prime Minister said: "Government contacted Dr Gonzi last year on the possibility of him inaugurating the new Parliament building. The former Prime Minister declined. Agreement was reached that the President should preside over the ceremony and that the Speaker should speak on behalf of the whole House."
But in a reply, Dr Gonzi said he was invited to deliver a speech.
In a statement, Dr Gonzi said:
"The inauguration of the new Parliament building is a solemn occasion symbolising Malta’s dignity as a sovereign and mature democracy. We are moving out of the “Grandmaster’s Palace” into an iconic building which was itself conceived as a symbol of a successful, vibrant and ambitious democracy.
"I am very proud of this achievement and of the significance of the event. It is precisely this sense of pride in my country that bars me from taking any initiative which demeans the occasion.
"As such, I have always maintained that the building should be inaugurated by the Head of State who is entrusted by the Constitution to represent us all together as a people with our unique characteristics.
"I confirm that a few months ago I was approached by the Principal Permanent Secretary who asked me whether I would be prepared to “deliver a speech”. I indicated to him that I did not think this was appropriate and I reiterated that in my opinion, the building should be inaugurated by the President of the Republic with the participation of the Speaker of the House.
"I still think this is what should be done. Any other option would be an insult to the President, to the Speaker, to our parliamentarians and to those amongst us who are not influenced by outdated political bias."
But in another reaction, the Office of the Prime Minister insisted that Dr Gonzi was formally asked by the Principal Permanent Secretary to inaugurate the new Parliament building.
The rest of the information given by Dr Gonzi reflected the rest of the conversation between the former PM and the PPS, a spokesman for the OPM said.
Dr Gonzi replied once more: "I have nothing to add. The facts are as stated in my comments."
INAUGURATION PROGRAMME
The first sitting in the new Parliament chamber is due to be held next Monday.
At 3.30pm, MPs will gather for the last time in front of the main door of the parliamentary chamber at the Presidential Palace, which has been in use since 1976. Speaker Anġlu Farrugia will then lead them past the Tapestry Chamber where Parliament had met since its inception in 1921.
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