In a very warm ceremony filled with goodwill from both sides of the house and the President of Malta, former MEP Joseph Muscat yesterday assumed the mantle of Opposition leader after taking his oath of allegiance to the President and the House of Representatives.

Dr Muscat, looking slightly taken aback by events, officially replaced Joseph Cuschieri in parliament as a fully fledged co-opted MP. The motion to co-opt Dr Muscat was put forward by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and was seconded by Malta Labour Party deputy leader for parliamentary affairs Anglu Farrugia.

Addressing the House, Dr Gonzi said: “It is my pleasure and a privilege to put this motion forward. This is not the first co-option this house has seen, but it indeed unique to co-opt Dr Muscat as leader of the Malta Labour Party and (now) Opposition leader. I wish Joe well. I would also like to thank outgoing opposition leader Charles Mangion who has filled this post since the resignation of his predecessor. He took it in his stride and is an example to us all.”

Dr Gonzi urged the House to approve the motion unanimously. Dr Farrugia also spoke briefly and thanked the Prime Minister for his words. He thanked Dr Mangion and of course Joe Cuschieri. “It is true that Joseph Muscat has been co-opted but he has already passed two electoral tests in the European Parliament and of course the MLP leadership election,” he said.

The motion was unanimously passed after which Dr Mangion and Dr Gonzi walked down the aisle separating the two sides to usher Dr Muscat in. In a relaxed manner, Dr Muscat took his oath of allegiance to the parliament and proceeded to shake the hand of every MP in the house.

Dr Muscat spoke briefly and his first words were of thanks to Joseph Cuschieri for his sense of loyalty to the MLP and the country as a whole. “I also want to thank Charles Mangion for his sterling work. I want to thank Dr Alfred Sant for the years of service he gave to this country. We should admire his incorruptibility and I hope I can live up to that reputation,” said Dr Muscat.

He also thanked MP George Vella for his words of guidance and advice as well his wife and family for their support. “Without the support of our families, we are nothing,” he said.

Dr Muscat said the past and future differences between the two parties never have or will involve malice. “The common denominator is that whether on one side or another, we all have Malta's best interests at heart,” he said.

Dr Gonzi welcomed Dr Muscat officially and said he hoped that his party and the opposition could continue to work for a better Malta. “Each and every MP has good intentions and wants to offer a service. Please God, when we have to leave this arena, we can all look back and see that we have done some good,” he said.

Dr Gonzi continued: “We have an opportunity to open a new chapter in Malta's history. When we argue and debate in parliament, people must understand that it is passion, it is passion to see the best possible outcome for our country.” Speaker of the House Louis Galea also congratulated Dr Muscat on his becoming and MP.

Dr Muscat was then whisked off to the office of the President. He took the oath of allegiance to uphold the Constitution of Malta without fear or favour. His wife Michelle beamed with pride as a very relaxed ceremony was presided over by President Eddie Fenech Adami.

Dr Fenech Adami said that this was a rare occasion. “Opposition leaders come and go. But your political career has been meteoric. You were an MEP in Brussels and you became leader of the MLP before becoming and MP. I praise you for your courage in assuming tis role at such a young age,” he said.

Dr Fenech Adami concluded: “I do not know your wife much but she has supported you. Believe me, you will need her support.” Dr Muscat thanked the President for his “kind comments” and proceeded to have a private meeting with him.