Updated 1.15pm

President George Vella delivered a unifying speech at his inauguration on Thursday, saying that one of his priorities would be that of seeking to heal divisions, including those caused by the blots on Malta’s character caused by the murders of Karin Grech, Raymond Caruana and Daphne Caruana Galizia.

The former foreign minister was sworn in at a special sitting of Parliament, taking over from his former Cabinet colleague Marie-Lousie Coleiro Preca.

Dr Vella, said his would be a silent, impartial presidency that would also seek to be a moral compass, a mirror of the people’s needs, giving a voice to those who were not heard and solace to those who needed it.

Dr Vella said he was assuming the office with deep humility, gratitude and pride.

He said he had accepted to assume the role of President in order to serve the people and to promote Malta’s values, including a fair distribution of wealth.

The concept of charity had unfortunately been eroded, he said, but those who needed help should receive it as a right not as charity.

Economic wealth did not mean there was no material poverty, and he would therefore seek to maintain the social commitment demonstrated by his predecessor.

The new President greets well-wishers in Valletta.

He would promote social welfare and a decent quality of life everyone was entitled for, including migrant workers.

As a doctor, he would interest himself in developments in the health sector and continue to see that there was respect for medical and moral ethics ‘including respect for life from its very beginning.’

He would also closely follow the sector of the elderly, where it needed to be ensured that there was no deterioration of living conditions.

In a mixed liberal community, Dr Vella said, Malta needed to be proud of its moral values, including charity and solidarity.

He would also commit himself to education, whether academic or utilitarian, but also an appreciation of art and culture.

Highlights importance of the environment

Dr Vella recalled that the environment had been among his first ministerial responsibilities in 1996. Much had changed since then, he said, but Malta’s size remained the same.

Malta, he said, faced strong pressure on the natural and built environment, and he would be recommending enforcement of the rules to ensure environmental sustainability.

President George Vella delivering his inaugural address.

He would also promote measures for better quality of air and the sea and measures to avoid global warming.

Absolute importance would be given by the presidency to strengthen national unity. Having different points of view was a sacred right but there needed to be dialogue that was mature and respectful, with no personal attacks.

National unity also meant dialogue between the state and the various churches and religions.

There was also a need to rekindle respect for national symbols such as the flag, the anthem, the language, history and culture, the constitutional structures and their laws, and especially, respect to the Constitution.

Differences remained on issues such as the rule of law, administrative powers and the blots on Malta caused by the murders of Karin Grech, Raymond Caruana and Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Dr Vella also spoke about his role as guardian of the Constitution and insisted that the process for a revision of the constitution should be as broad as possible, including MPs, experts, NGOs and civil society in general.

But even more important than updating the Constitution was the need for a commitment to respect what was agreed upon.

The President also spoke briefly on foreign affairs and said that Malta, despite being small, would remain relevant and would be respected as long as it showed itself to be competent.

Cites concerns with right-wing extremism, populism

His concerns, he said, included populism, right-wing extremism, climate change, organised crime, human and arms trafficking and organised crime.

Malta could play an important role in international fora in the context of the Euro-Mediterranean region.

Malta should be proud of its values and morals even in international fora, he said, including in the UN Security Council if it was elected to it in 2023-24.

“We need to be clear in our condemnation of exploitation of workers from other countries, human trafficking, arms trafficking and organised crime.

Read the full address in Maltese on pdf below.

Dr Vella was sworn in by the Speaker of the House, Anġlu Farrugia.

A resolution for his appointment was approved by the Labour and Nationalist members of parliament on Tuesday.

The ceremony was preceded by Mass led by Archbishop Charles Scicluna at at St John’s Co-Cathedral.

Dr Vella then walked to the Palace, where the parliamentary sitting was held in the Grand Council Chamber.

Dr and Mrs Vella arrive at the Palace.

As soon as the oath of office was administered, the AFM fired a salute from Pope Pius V Street in Valletta using vintage guns. Trumpeters sounded a fanfare in the Chamber.

The new President read a proclamation declaring that he has assumed the new duties and then delivered his inaugural address.

The new President waved to the crown on St George Square from the Palace balcony.

READ: 'Defend Malta's heritage' - Archbishop's call to the new President

His first official function was to pay tribute to the fallen by laying a wreath at the foot of the War Memorial in Floriana.

He then proceeded to San Anton Palace – his home for the next five years - where the staff will be introduced.

President Vella will receive courtesy calls by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Opposition leader Adrian Delia.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat is greeted outside the Palace, with Mrs Muscat (left).

The role of the President

The President of Malta is the head of state and has a largely ceremonial role.

However, it is the President who decides who to appoint as prime minister after a general election, basing his decision upon who in his judgement commands a majority of the members of the House of Representatives.

The President summons and dissolves the House of Representatives and calls a general election on the advice of the prime minister.

He/she may, however, act upon his own judgement to dismiss the prime minister or dissolve the House if the government loses a confidence vote. Conversely, if the prime minister recommends dissolution of parliament (before the end of its term) and the President considers that the government can be carried on without dissolution and that dissolution would not be in the interests of Malta, he may refuse to dissolve parliament.

The President is a key part of the legislative process. Draft financial legislation first needs to be presented to the President who then recommends it to the House. The President also has to give his assent to all Bills approved by the House before they become law.

In cases of public emergency, if the House is not in session, the President may by proclamation summon it.

Despite this important legislative role, the President only addresses the House of Representatives upon his/her appointment and at the summoning of parliament. Only one President has addressed the summoning of parliament twice – Ugo Mifsud Bonnici did so when Alfred Sant’s Labour government was elected in 1996 and when the PN government was elected 22 months later.

Among other roles, the President receives the diplomatic credentials of new ambassadors to Malta, chairs the Commission for the Administration of Justice and, acting on the advice of the government, appoints judges and the heads of constitutional bodies.

The President may grant a pardon to convicted criminals as well as reduce or nullify court sentences, acting on the advice of the Minister of Justice.

The President has a right to be informed by the prime minister and ministers of all affairs of state.

While judges and other holders of constitutional offices such as the Auditor-General and the Ombudsman enjoy security of tenure and cannot be removed without a two-thirds majority of the House, the President is appointed and may be removed by resolution of the House backed by a simple majority. Removal of the President can only take place on the grounds of inability to perform the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or any other cause) or inappropriate behaviour.

The term of office the President otherwise lasts for five years. There is no second term.

History of the presidency

The presidency came into being on December 13, 1974 when Malta was declared a republic.

Malta's first President: Sir Anthony Mamo.

The first President was Sir Anthony Mamo, the only President who did not come with a political background. He was previously Chief Justice and Governor-General.

The other Presidents were Anton Buttigieg, Agatha Barbara, Censu Tabone, Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, Guido de Marco, Eddie Fenech Adami, George Abela and Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca. Paul Xuereb was acting president for just over two years. All previously served as ministers except George Abela, who was deputy leader of the Labour Party and Paul Xuereb who was an MP and later Speaker. Dr Fenech Adami was previously prime minister.

Biography: George Vella

George Vella, born on April 24, 1942, is the oldest person ever to have been appointed President and the second to come from the medical profession, the other being Ċensu Tabone.

He has lived all his life in Zejtun and is best known there as a dedicated family doctor. He graduated as a doctor in 1964 and later also specialised in aviation medicine, serving as a consultant to Air Malta and the Civil Aviation Department.

He first stood for election with the Labour Party in 1976 but was elected, by casual election in 1978. He was then elected during the general elections of 1981, 1992, 1996, 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2013.

George Vella (left) at Alfred Sant's swearing in in 1996.

In 1992 Dr Vella turned down an invitation from then Labour leader Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici to be nominated party leader, but was then elected party deputy leader for parliamentary affairs while Alfred Sant was leader.

He was deputy prime minister and foreign minister in the Sant government between 1996 and 1998 and then in his role as shadow foreign minister along with Dr Sant, spearheaded the campaign against Malta joining the European Union, until the matter was decided by referendum.

Dr Vella is credited as having been the one to push Joseph Muscat into seeking the leadership of the Labour Party when Dr Sant resigned after losing the 2008 general election.

When Labour was returned to power in 2013 Dr Vella became Joseph Muscat’s foreign minister, focusing on broadening Malta’s relations with non-EU countries, particularly those around the Mediterranean, the United States and China. He did not seek re-election in 2017.

Dr Vella is married to Miriam (née Grima), has two daughters and a son and seven grandchildren. </s> Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre takes oath

03/05/2018

Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto, elected Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta yesterday, has sworn his oath of office today in the Church of Santa Maria in Aventino, before the Council Complete of State (the elective body of the Order of Malta) and Archbishop Angelo Becciu, the Pope’s Special Delegate. The Grand Master is elected for life.

After the oath, the Grand Commander, Fra’ Ludwig Hoffmann von Rumerstein conferred the collar of Grand Master and thereafter the Grand Chancellor Albrecht Boeselager declared the Council Complete of State dissolved. A solemn mass was celebrated by Archbishop Becciu and the flag of Grand Master was raised at the top of the Magistral Villa at the end of the ceremony.

For the first time in the history of the Order of Malta two women, Presidents of Associations, including one from Asia, took part in the Council Complete of State.

Tomorrow Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre will leave for Lourdes to participate in the 60th international pilgrimage of the Order of Malta. </s> Labour supporters take to the streets to celebrate after early results indicate a comfortable victory for ruling party.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has declared victory in Malta's snap election after preliminary results showed his Labour Party heading towards a second mandate.

A sample count of ballots on Sunday showed Labour having a majority of more than 30,000 votes, equivalent to nearly 10 percent of the electorate.

"It is clear that the people have chosen to stay the course," said Muscat, who called the snap vote to counter allegations of corruption against his wife and some of his political allies.

Simon Busuttil, the leader of the opposition Nationalist Party (PN), made a telephone call to Muscat to concede defeat in Saturday's election.

"As always, we respect the decision of the electorate," Busuttil said in a tweet.

After the announcement of the preliminary results,Labour supporters took to the streets in celebration, gathering near party clubs and waving flags.

A crowd gathered near the party's headquarters and workers were erecting a stage at the granaries in Floriana, Times of Malta reported.

The turnout was 92 percent of the more than 340,000 eligible voters, the election commission said. Official results are expected later on Sunday.

Muscat, 43, is expected to be sworn in on Monday, after which he will begin forming his new government that will have a five-year mandate.

During the election campaign, Muscat promised continuity and greater wealth for a country that has the lowest unemployment rate ever at 4.1 percent - the third lowest in Europe - and in 2016 registered a budget surplus for the first time in three decades.

The victory indicates that there will be no major disruption to the business of the European Union, whose presidency Malta holds until the end of this month.

Shortly after polls closed, Malta's President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca called for a process of reconciliation to begin after what she called a campaign full of "aggressive and abusive language" both by politicians and the public.

"I want to see people returning to open dialogue, which is the basis of a healthy democracy," she said.

Muscat, who has been prime minister since 2013, went to the polls a year after his wife was accused of being the beneficial owner of a secret Panamanian shell company used to bank unexplained payments from Azerbaijan's ruling family.

His chief of staff and a government minister have separately admitted having their own, previously undeclared Panama-registered companies, following revelations from last year's massive data leak from the Mossack Fonseca legal firm based in the Central American country.

Muscat has come under fire for not sacking the two of them.

The PN had warned that even if Muscat won the election, he would still remain under pressure as magistrates investigate claims of corruption made against him and his ministers.

Muscat has however denied any wrongdoing and promised to quit if any evidence emerges of his family having an undeclared offshore account. </s> Maltese voters cast ballots in a snap election on Saturday called by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, who has sought to fend off corruption allegations levelled at his wife and associates with a campaign touting the island's solid economic performance. Opposition and Nationalist Party leader Simon Busuttil casts his vote during Malta's snap general elections in his home town of Lija, Malta, June 3, 2017.

Start the conversation, or Read more at Channelnewsasia.com. </s> Malta's prime minister is claiming victory in early elections called to consolidate the government's position, saying unofficial results indicate a "sizeable" win for his Labour Party.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat told Malta's national broadcaster on Sunday (4 June) that voters had "chosen the positive campaign of the Labour Party as against the negativity and bitterness of the Nationalist Party".

Official results will be released on Monday. A victory would give Labour a second five-year term.

Muscat called the snap elections a year early following an investigation into allegations his wife owned a company related to the Panama Papers scandal. They deny any wrongdoing.

The Panama Papers leak exposed the identities of the rich and powerful around the world with offshore holdings in Panama. Those fingered also included Muscat's energy minister Konrad Mizzi. Mizzi was the only incumbent minister of an EU nation identified in the leaks. He stepped down from his position soon after. </s> Valletta (dpa) - Malta‘s Labour Party is heading towards a second mandate Sunday, with opposition leader Simon Busuttil conceding defeat within an hour of vote counting.



Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, 43, has seen off a challenge from Busuttil, 48, of the centre-right Nationalist Party, after a tense four-week election campaign. 



"It is clear that the people have chosen to stay the course," Muscat told the state broadcaster, shortly after initial counts showed his party leading by up to eight per cent. 



Official results are expected later Sunday. 



Voters cast their ballots for a new government on Saturday in snap parliamentary elections called by Muscat a year ahead of schedule amid a corruption scandal connected to the Panama Papers document leak.



Malta, the smallest member of the European Union with around 430,000 residents, holds the rotating presidency of the EU until the end of June.



Muscat‘s government has been in hot water as a result of the Panama Papers, a massive data leak out of the Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca in April 2016 that detailed how money was being funneled to shell companies in tax havens.



The leak revealed that Muscat‘s Chief of Staff Keith Schembri and former energy minister Konrad Mizzi owned secret companies abroad. 



Muscat says he called a snap election to eliminate economic uncertainty, but the opposition insists claims of corruption will not dissipate through a popular vote.



The Nationalist Party also produced documents that it claims show that Schembri received kickbacks from a controversial cash-for-passports scheme, while Mizzi is said to have benefited personally from a power station project.



Muscat, Schembri and Mizzi have strongly denied the claims. </s> Valletta (dpa) - Malta‘s Labour Party cruised to a landslide victory on Sunday in a major vote of confidence for Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, despite the claims of corruption that dogged his government. 



Party projections showed the Labour Party won 55.2 per cent of the vote against the centre-right Nationalist Party‘s 44 per cent, much higher than the five per cent projections reflected in polls. 



Muscat, 43, saw off the challenge from Simon Busuttil, 48, after a tense four-week election campaign in which the prime minister was under siege for retaining his chief of staff and a prominent minister who were accused of having secret companies in Panama.



"The people have confirmed their trust in this movement, despite it being the target of one of the most negative campaigns in our country‘s history," Muscat told thousands of supporters who gathered outside the party headquarters.



Malta, the smallest member of the European Union with around 430,000 residents, holds the rotating council presidency of the European Union until the end of June. </s> Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Joseph Muscat casts his vote during Malta's snap general elections in his home town of Burmarrad, Malta, June 3, 2017. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi

VALLETTA (Reuters) - Maltese voters cast ballots in a snap election on Saturday called by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, who has sought to fend off corruption allegations leveled at his wife and associates with a campaign touting the island’s solid economic performance.

Muscat, leader of the Labour party whose five-year term was due to end next year, is running for a second term against opposition leader Simon Busuttil, who is leading the Nationalist Party into parliamentary elections for the first time.

Party officials on both sides expect high turnout among the Mediterranean island nation’s 342,000 eligible voters, who can cast ballots until 10 p.m. (2000 GMT).

There are 224 candidates standing for the election for the 65-seat parliament, with results expected on Sunday morning.

Opinion polls gave the 43-year-old Muscat and his Labour party a 5 percent lead but also showed many voters were undecided until the vote. The president will ask the leader of the party that wins the most votes to form a government.

Muscat called the early vote a month ago, saying they were vital because of the corruption allegations that he said risked creating uncertainty that could undermine economic growth.

Busuttil and the Nationalist Party had demanded Muscat step down over allegations of improper business dealings by his wife and some of his associates. Magistrates are investigating the allegations. Muscat has described the claims against his wife as the “mother of all lies”.

Muscat is hoping the island’s robust economy will help him to a second mandate. Economic growth is running at about 6 percent, unemployment is at a record low of about 4 percent, and wages and pensions are rising.

The 48-year-old Busuttil, a lawyer and former member of the European Parliament, has said doubts tied to the corruption scandal risk undermining Malta’s reputation, particularly in financial services, which account for a fifth of the economy. </s> Malta is voting in snap general elections called against a backdrop of corruption allegations that have tarnished Prime Minister Joseph Muscat's government.

Malta, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, has also warned that it has become the target of cyberattacks that experts say come from Russia.

Opinion polls indicate that 43-year-old Muscat's Labor Party (PL) will retain power with a reduced majority.

Up to 30 percent of the roughly 340,000 registered voters remain undecided, giving hope to Simon Busuttil's opposition Nationalist Party (PN) of a last-minute swing in voters' opinion in his direction.

Muscat called the election a year early after his wife, Michelle, was accused of being the beneficial owner of a secret Panamanian shell company used to bank unexplained payments from Azerbaijan's ruling family.

The prime minister's chief of staff, Keith Schembri, has admitted having his own, previously undeclared Panama-registered company.

Media reports also alleged that Schembri accepted bribes from the sale of Maltese passports to wealthy Russians.

Last month, Muscat said that Malta's security services had been alerted to possible Russian interference in local affairs.

Relations between Russia and Malta have soured recently, mainly after Valleta's refusal to allow Russian warships heading to Syria to refuel in Malta.

Sources in the Maltese government said the country had become a target of increasing cyberattacks.

Security experts say the Fancy Bear -- a hacking collective that is often associated with the Kremlin -- is a prime suspect.

The election is taking place weeks after the country's tax policies also came under scrutiny in a journalistic probe depicting the small Mediterranean island state as a tax haven.

Polls close at 10 p.m. local time (2000 GMT/UTC). First results are expected on June 4.

Based on reporting by AFP, dpa, and The Guardian
George Vella is sworn in as the new President of Malta succeeding Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca.