Pledging unity, Muscat vows to convene parliament by end of month

Freshly sworn in Prime Minister Joseph Muscat reiterated that his first priority is to unite the country.

“I believe there are people of goodwill who are ready to remove the division that has been shown in the last five weeks of the campaign,” he said, speaking after the swearing-in ceremony at the palace in Valletta.

“Irrespective of the election results, this government or myself as Prime Minister will not belittle people or embark any kind of divisive policies. It puts even more responsibility on my and colleagues' shoulders.”

“I will be working with all political forces and people of goodwill who are willing to put Malta first.”

Muscat underlined the majority as the largest in history, but reiterated his emphasise on unity.

"I look forward to embarking in discussion in contribution to my work with all concerned persons, together with my team, in order to push forward this project of national union,” Muscat said. “We are all Malta." 

The Prime Minister added that in the coming days, he would be choosing his cabinet according to the final electoral results and that he hoped to convene parliament by the end of the month.

“This cabinet will have new elements of political functions, because I feel that the country requires it and we will be catering for it,” Muscat said.

“There is important legislation to discuss and approve in parliament, starting the marriage equality bill,” he added.

Muscat went on to say that next Wednesday, he will continue to perform duties related to Malta’s presidency of the EU, adding that Malta’s work for the presidency continued “impeccably” during the election campaign.