Veteran MP Carmelo Abela expected to replace Farrugia as Speaker

Prime Minister Robert Abela is expected to nominate veteran Labour MP Carmelo Abela as the next Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Carmelo Abela, who was re-elected from the Third Electoral District in Saturday’s general election, has served in Parliament continuously since 1996. Throughout his political career, he has held several senior positions, including Minister for Home Affairs, National Security and Law Enforcement, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister.

His parliamentary experience also includes a stint as Deputy Speaker between 2003 and 2010, followed by a term as Labour Party whip during the Twelfth Legislature.

Abela was one of the many MPs summoned by PM Abela today as he formed his Cabinet. When the list of ministers and parliamentary secretaries was published and Carmelo’s name was not on it, it became clear that the PM had other plans for him.

If approved by Parliament, Carmelo Abela will succeed Anġlu Farrugia, bringing to an end the latter’s 13-year tenure as Speaker – the longest continuous term in the role since Malta’s independence.

Farrugia was first elected Speaker in April 2013 and was subsequently reconfirmed at the start of both the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Legislatures.

Under the Constitution, the Speaker may be chosen either from among sitting Members of Parliament or from outside the House. While Farrugia served as Speaker without being an elected MP, previous Speakers, including Michael Frendo, occupied the role while retaining their parliamentary seats.

The Speaker’s primary responsibility is to maintain order during parliamentary proceedings and ensure that the House’s Standing Orders are observed. The office also has the authority to issue rulings on procedural matters and the interpretation of parliamentary rules.

Although the Speaker does not ordinarily vote, the office-holder may exercise a casting vote in the event of a tie. The Speaker also chairs the Standing Committee on House Business, the Standing Committee on Privileges, and any other parliamentary committees assigned by the House.

 

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