The Budget for 2021 will be presented on 19 October, the government said during a meeting of the House Business Committee on Monday.

It was also announced that new PN Leader Bernard Grech will be sworn in as an MP on Tuesday and as Leader of the Opposition on Wednesday.

Government MP Glenn Bedingfield said the Opposition Leader’s reply to the budget speech will be held on 26 October, followed by the PM’s remarks the following day, 27 October. All three sittings will start at 6pm.

The debates on the financial estimates of each ministry will be concluded by 6 November. Parliament will be holding two or three sittings a day.

Ivan J Bartolo (right) has ceded his Parliamentary seat to newly-elected PN Leader Bernard Grech

During the same meeting, Opposition Whip Robert Cutajar said Bernard Grech will be sworn in as a Member of Parliament on Tuesday. As a result of Covid-19 measures, only relatives will be allowed into the stranger’s gallery.

Bernard Grech will be taking the seat vacated by PN MP Ivan J Bartolo on Monday.

Grech will be sworn in as Opposition leader on Wednesday at the Office of the President.