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SUBJECT [Jan 14] Malta gets new Prime Minister
DATE 2020-01-14
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Photo: Maltatoday. Robert Abela greets supporters ahead of his swearing in as Prime Minister

 

Robert Abela has been voted as the 14th Prime Minister of Malta, succeeding Joseph Muscat, who held the office for 7 years from 2013 to 2020.

 

On January 13, 2020, Abela was administered the oath of office by President George Vella in Valetta, Maltal. Last Saturday, on January 11, the vote involving about 17,500 party members was casted. While the expectation was that Chris Fearne, deputy prime minister and minister of health, would be elected since he has been the favorite by the public, Abela grasped his victory with nearly 58 percent of ballots cast.

 

“Malta is not going through any tragedy, but it is going through a sensitive time from which it will emerge stronger,” Abela told hundreds of cheering supporters at a party event. Upon being elected, he stated that he will keep strengthening the rule of law and increase the government’s focus on social issues and affordable housing. He also reaffirmed his plan of free medicines for all retirees within five years.

 

He was first elected to parliament in 2017 and has little political experience. Before coming into the parliament, he was a lawyer, specializing in industrial and labor law. He was also a legal adviser to Muscat, which enabled him to attend cabinet meetings and collect experience for a short while.

 

Joseph Muscat, after resigning from his office, has said he will be staying in the parliament and help Abela promote civil rights reform and work on a project to raise the level of Malta’s athletes.

 

 

[Sources]

Press, T. A. (2020, January 12). In Malta, Son of Ex-President Is Chosen as Prime Minister. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/12/world/europe/malta-prime-minister-robert-abela.html.

 

Reuters. (2020, January 13). Robert Abela sworn in as Malta's new prime minister. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malta-politics/robert-abela-sworn-in-as-maltas-new-prime-minister-idUSKBN1ZC1ND.

 

Sansone, K. (2020, January 13). Robert Abela is sworn in as prime minister. Retrieved from https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/99726/robert_abela_to_be_sworn_in_as_prime_minister_in_the_afternoon#.Xh1htH8zZhE.

 

Scicluna, C. (2020, January 13). Malta's new leader promises to keep strengthening rule of law. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malta-politics/maltas-new-leader-promises-to-keep-strengthening-rule-of-law-idUSKBN1ZB05C?il=0.

 

 

BY MSEAP Cyber Secretariat (mseap@assembly.go.kr)