Anglu Farrugia meets Speaker of the House

Former Labour deputy leader Anglu Farrugia will take the role of Speaker of Parliament in what is being described as a token of reconciliation from Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

News that he was already being considered for the role was broken two weeks ago.

Nationalist Party organ In-Nazzjon today reported that Farrugia was seen parking his car in the parking area reserved for MPs outside Parliament. "He was approached by a police officer who asked him to move his car, but Farrugia insisted that he leave it there since he was now the new Speaker," the newspaper reported eyewitnesses as saying.

Farrugia then entered the Presidential Palace, where he reportedly met Speaker of the House Michael Frendo.

Farrugia resigned in December 2012, less than a week after the MP's insinuations on a judge's decision being politically motivated, and his disastrous encounter in the live Xarabank debate with Nationalist deputy leader Simon Busuttil.

Muscat had denied any link between the resignation and Farrugia's flop on PBS during a Xarabank, insisting that Farrugia had taken responsibility for having insinuated that a decision by Magistrate Audrey Demicoli on corrupt practices during the 2008 general elections, could have been politically motivated by the fact that her father Saviour Demioli is part of the Nationalist Party's establishment.

The deputy leader's resignation was providential after his ineffective performance on Xarabank gave the PN's newly elected deputy leader Simon Busuttil the edge, highlighting his charisma and ability to parry with political opponents.

Farrugia subsequently decided not to contest the elections.