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[WATCH] MPs take their place at first session in new parliament designed by Renzo Piano

MPs depart from the Palace of the President, which hosted Malta’s parliament since 1921 • follow us live here, and tweet your views and photos on #newparliament

matthew_vella
4 May 2015, 2:30pm
by Matthew Vella
The first session in the new parliament is convened. Photo: Ray Attard
The first session in the new parliament is convened. Photo: Ray Attard
Archbishop Charles Scicluna tries an MP's seat for size
Archbishop Charles Scicluna tries an MP's seat for size
Not big enough? Archbishop Charles Scicluna shares a joke with Joseph Muscat
Not big enough? Archbishop Charles Scicluna shares a joke with Joseph Muscat
Let the flowers grow in parliament, says this note on the desk of Marlene Farrugia. The line is a take on Olivier Friggieri's classic 'Fil-Parlament ma Jikbrux Fjuri'
Let the flowers grow in parliament, says this note on the desk of Marlene Farrugia. The line is a take on Olivier Friggieri's classic 'Fil-Parlament ma Jikbrux Fjuri'
Opposition leader Simon Busuttil with whip David Agius
Opposition leader Simon Busuttil with whip David Agius
Last one behind close the door...
Last one behind close the door...
The keys of the 'old house' are passed on from the AFM to the police force. Photo: DOI
The keys of the 'old house' are passed on from the AFM to the police force. Photo: DOI
MPs walk up Republic Street to the new parliament. Photo: Ray Attard
MPs walk up Republic Street to the new parliament. Photo: Ray Attard
Speaker of the House Anglu Farrugia with his clerks
Speaker of the House Anglu Farrugia with his clerks
MPs take their place at first session in new parliament designed by Renzo Piano • Video by Ray Attard

Live-streaming can be found here

18:33 This live-blog has ended Matthew Vella
17:31 Matthew Vella
17:21 Here's a tweet from Nationalist whip David Agius.

Matthew Vella
17:12 Parliament officially inaugurated. Matthew Vella
17:06 "It is also these MPs' duties to safeguard Malta's natural and human environment, to respect sustainable development... our duty is to future generations, and the environment is only loaned to us from them." Matthew Vella
17:05 "We need a humane solution from Europe, not a national solution to what is a global issue." Matthew Vella
17:03 "I appeal to you MPs not to be swayed by the few voices, and instead work to have the EU act in solidarity with the people who are making this Mediterranean crossing." Matthew Vella
17:03 "We need compassion and awareness from MPs to understand this situation, these victims." Matthew Vella
17:03 She says this is a push factor of migration, pushing people away from home to seek better jobs elsewhere, and having no choice but to be smuggled across to the EU. Matthew Vella
17:02 Interesting: Coleiro Preca speaks of EU's agricultural duties stopping African farmers from exporting their produce at reasonable prices. Matthew Vella
16:56 Coleiro Preca: “The site of what was the memory of Valletta’s destruction during WWII… no stands as a testament to our collective will to innovate.” Matthew Vella
16:55 President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, a former minister and Labour MP, now addressing the general public. Matthew Vella
16:52 Farrugia says the new parliament will be not only emblematic of a quantum leap for transparency and scrutiny, but will in effect be transmitting live parliamentary sittings on television, for the very first time. Matthew Vella
16:50 World-renowned architect Renzo Piano has turned down a late invitation to attend the opening ceremony of the new parliament. Matthew Vella
16:49 Anglu Farrugia was Labour deputy leader for parliamentary affairs before he resigned at the request of Joseph Muscat shortly before the 2013 electoral campaign. He was made Speaker of the House upon Labour's election. Matthew Vella
16:47 "This will be the only building that will be serving solely the interests of MPs. I won't dwell on what was said about this parliament, which might have been controversial at times..." Matthew Vella
16:47 Speaker Anglu Farrugia gives his speech on the occasion of the new parliament. Matthew Vella
16:46 Let me just say that playing old Rod's hit single during the opening of the new parliament building, is the wierdest segue after a national anthem. Matthew Vella
16:45 Rod Stewart's 'I am sailing' played by the police band?? Why exactly?? Matthew Vella
16:44 The President is here, up on the dais for the national anthem played by the police band. Matthew Vella
16:42 Tim Diacono is in Valletta right now, tweeting on #newparliament.

 Matthew Vella
16:23 Matthew Vella
16:23 MPs have arrived at the new parliament, at City Gate. Matthew Vella
16:22 So... do you think parliament has been moved to the 'margins' of Valletta away from its centre? Dr Carmen Sammut on TVM argues that the parliament has been moved to the entrance of Valletta, rather than on the periphery. Matthew Vella
16:20 Matthew Vella
16:17 MPs walk down Republic Street accompanied by police band, to congregate outside the new parliament. Matthew Vella
16:15 American ambassador Gina Abercrombie Winstanley always up for a selfie...

Matthew Vella
16:08 Malta's armed forces were responsible for the security of the Palace, but now the security of the building will pass on to the Maltese police force. Matthew Vella
16:08 All 69 MPs are lining out on St George's Square, where a special ceremony will be held to mark the passing on the keys to the House from Speaker Anglu Farrugia to the Commissioner of Police, as a symbol of the securitisation of the building. Matthew Vella
16:07 Hmmm... Debono does not rule out running for election again. Who with? Matthew Vella
16:06 Franco Debono... misses parliament. Matthew Vella
16:05 Right now, all MPs in the House are at the 'old' parliament, the Palace of the President, touring the hallowed chamber and the old plenary room - the Chamber of Tapestries - for the last time. Matthew Vella
16:04 Matthew Vella
16:03 Any architects out there? We'd love to get some comments on what they think of Renzo Piano's creation... or hashtag #newparliament on Twitter. Matthew Vella
16:02 Today's opening is quite an occasion. The €80 million capital investment for the City Gate redesign by Renzo Piano and the new parliament and open-air Royal Theatre was criticized by the Labour opposition, with the project then going on €10 million off-budget. Today, it will be Joseph Muscat's administration to open the new House. Matthew Vella
15:56 Debono's maiden speech in parliament saluted the House as "a salon for democracy"... he later went AWOL when he felt slighted by the Nationalist administration, branding Lawrence Gonzi as leading "an evil clique". Finally he took on transport minister Austin Gatt, abstaining on a no-confidence vote against the minister, and keeping Gonzi’s one-seat majority on its toes with cliffhanger votes. Great times, we do miss them… Matthew Vella
15:53 Debono was a big supporter of live broadcasts and better technology in the parliament. Matthew Vella
15:52 Quite a good choice... the law commissioner was the source of much trouble for former prime minister Lawrence Gonzi, and his decision not to back the budget bill in late 2012 pushed the Gonzi administration into 'early' elections. Matthew Vella
15:52 Well, if you are watching the TVM live-feed... guess who's in the studio. Franco Debono - former Nationalist MP. Matthew Vella
15:15 Proceedings start ay 3:30pm - scroll down for the programme of events. Matthew Vella
14:08 Good afternoon: you can watch the live-stream of the new parliament opening today, here on MaltaToday.com.mt Matthew Vella
10:32 Here are some photos of the new parliament in construction stages. All photos by Ian Noel Pace.

 Matthew Vella
10:09 Good morning: you can watch the live-stream of the opening of the new parliament here.

Programme of events

15:30 The Members of Parliament meet in front of the main door of the Parliamentary Chamber, the Palace, Valletta, where Parliament met between 1976 and 2015.

16:00 The President of the House of Representatives, the Honourable Anġlu Farrugia, together with the Members of Parliament proceed towards the Palace main entrance passing in front of the Tapestry Chamber where the Parliament met between 1921 and 1976.

The Honourable Anġlu Farrugia and the Members of Parliament attend a symbolic ceremony at the Palace entrance where a guard of the Armed Forces of Malta presents the key of the Parliamentary Chamber to a guard of the Malta Police Force signifying the transfer of responsibility for the security of the premises where Parliament meets. A guard of honour and the band of the Malta Police Force march from St George’s Square to the new Parliament building.

The President of the House of Representatives together with the Members of Parliament walk along Republic Street towards the new Parliament building.

Presentation of the building by the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation to the President of the House of Representatives.

16:30 Arrival of Mr Michael Cassar, Commissioner of Police.

Arrival of H.E. Monsignor Charles J. Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta.

The President of the House of Representatives welcomes the Archbishop of Malta.

16:35 Arrival of H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of the Republic of Malta. National salute and National Anthem by the band of the Malta Police Force.

Inspection of the guard of honour by the President of the Republic of Malta.

The President of the House of Representatives welcomes the President of Malta.

16:38 The President of the House of Representatives and the President of the Republic of Malta deliver short speeches marking the occasion.

A guard of the Malta Police Force presents the key of the Parliamentary Chamber to the President of the House of Representatives signifying the taking up of responsibility for the security of the Parliamentary building.

The President of the House of Representatives accompanies the President of the Republic of Malta, the Prime Minister, the Archbishop, the Chief Justice, the Leader of Opposition and the Members of Parliament to the foyer.

Unveiling of the commemorative plaque by H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of the Republic of Malta.

A fanfare is played by the band of the Malta Police Force.

Blessing of the building by H.E. Monsignor Charles J. Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta.

17:00 The President of the House of Representatives accompanies those present to the Parliamentary Chamber.

Reception.

During the reception the guests may take the opportunity to visit the new Parliamentary Chamber and may also follow from the Strangers' Gallery the Parliamentary Sitting adjourned for 6 p.m. of the same day.

Matthew Vella

Matthew Vella, a freelance journalist at MaltaToday, was formerly executive editor at Malt...
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