--- title: "New Parliament Opens: PM Abela and Opposition Leader Borg Sworn In, Government Programme Outlined" date: 2026-06-20T17:01:55.558+00:00 updated: 2026-06-21T02:01:42.259+00:00 topics: ["Politics", "Economy", "National"] canonical: https://filqosor.com/article/2026-06-20/new-parliament-opens-pm-abela-opposition-leader-borg-sworn-in source: Fil-Qosor --- # New Parliament Opens: PM Abela and Opposition Leader Borg Sworn In, Government Programme Outlined ## In brief - Prime Minister Robert Abela and Opposition Leader Alex Borg were sworn into Parliament today. - The new legislature's first sitting followed a traditional mass at St John's Co-Cathedral. - President Myriam Spiteri Debono outlined the government's programme, prioritising a strong economy and a bill to protect people with disabilities. Earlier, Fil-Qosor reported on [the swearing-in of the new legislature and the appointment of Carmelo Abela as Speaker](/article/2026-06-20/new-parliament-sworn-in-carmelo-abela-appointed-speaker). Today, Prime Minister Robert Abela and Opposition Leader Alex Borg were officially sworn into Parliament, marking the start of the new legislative term. The first sitting of the 15th Parliament followed a traditional mass held at St John’s Co-Cathedral. The service was led by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi and attended by both the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader, along with other elected officials. During the parliamentary session, President Myriam Spiteri Debono delivered a speech outlining the government's programme. A key focus of the new administration will be maintaining a strong economy. The President also announced that the first bill to be presented in Parliament will aim to constitutionally protect people with disabilities. This initiative underscores the government's commitment to social welfare. Members of Parliament were seen greeting well-wishers in Valletta, accompanied by their partners, as they took their oaths. President Myriam Spiteri Debono's address to the new Parliament further detailed the government's vision for the upcoming legislature. She emphasised the critical need for the new parliamentary term to deliver "tangible improvements" that directly benefit the lives of the Maltese people. The President highlighted a strategic focus on "higher value growth," aiming to boost the nation's productivity and ensure prosperity for all citizens. Her speech underscored that these principles would be central to the government's programme. ## The Spin Room **Low media divide.** Both MaltaToday and The Malta Independent reported on the President's address, focusing on the key themes of tangible improvements and economic growth without notable framing differences. ## Updates - **2026-06-20:** Updated with further details from President Myriam Spiteri Debono's address, emphasising tangible improvements and higher value growth. ## Sources (15, 6 outlets) - [Times of Malta](https://timesofmalta.com/article/economy-strong-president-speech-new-parliament.1130198) - [Times of Malta](https://timesofmalta.com/article/pictures-mps-sworn-malta-15th-parliament.1130200) - [The Malta Independent](https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2026-06-20/local-news/Productivity-prosperity-and-people-Government-focuses-on-higher-value-growth-6736290713) - [ONE News](https://one.com.mt/id-deputati-jiehdu-l-gurament-taghhom-fl-oghla-istituzzjoni-fil-bidu-tal-15-il-legislatura/) - [ONE News](https://one.com.mt/il-gvern-jibda-minnufih-bil-hidma-fil-legislatura-u-jressaq-l-ewwel-abbozz-ta-ligi/) - [TVM News](https://tvmnews.mt/en/news/carmelo-abela-elected-speaker-of-the-house/ "Carmelo Abela elected Speaker of the House") - [ONE News](https://one.com.mt/il-president-myriam-spiteri-debono-twassal-il-vizjoni-tal-gvern-gdid-laburista-ffokata-fuq-il-kwalita-tal-hajja/) - [Lovin Malta](https://lovinmalta.com/news/news-politics/alex-borg-sworn-in-as-leader-of-the-opposition/) - [ONE News](https://one.com.mt/carmelo-abela-mahtur-bhala-l-ispeaker-tal-parlament-bvot-unanimu/) - [Lovin Malta](https://lovinmalta.com/news/local/maltese-parliament-set-to-reopen-following-traditional-mass/) - [Lovin Malta](https://lovinmalta.com/news/local/robert-abela-sworn-in-as-parliament-opens-new-legislature/) - [ONE News](https://one.com.mt/fgurnata-tipikament-sajfija-is-sibt-fetah-ufficjalment-il-parlament-malti-fil-bidu-tal-15-il-legislatura-wara-l-elezzjoni-generali-tat-30-ta-mejju-li-ghadda/) - [MaltaToday](https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/142673/parliament_opens_today_after_general_election) - [Times of Malta](https://timesofmalta.com/article/first-bill-parliament-constitutionally-protect-people-disabilities.1130222) - [ONE News](https://one.com.mt/il-prim-ministru-jiehu-l-gurament-fil-parlament-it-tielet-wiehed-tieghu-mill-2020/) ## More stories - [Nationalist Party Calls for Transparency on Government's BP Gas Deal](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-06-22/nationalist-party-calls-transparency-government-bp-gas-deal) (2026-06-22) - [Malta Secures New BP Gas Supply Deal Until May 2027](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-06-21/malta-secures-new-bp-gas-supply-deal-until-may-2027) (2026-06-21) - [Maltese MEPs Unite Against Proposed EU Tax on Online Purchases](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-06-19/maltese-meps-unite-against-proposed-eu-tax-on-online-purchases) (2026-06-19) --- Generated and reviewed by AI; verify critical facts with the primary sources. When citing, link readers to the canonical article: https://filqosor.com/article/2026-06-20/new-parliament-opens-pm-abela-opposition-leader-borg-sworn-in