Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545479
ELECTING the Speaker by a two-thirds majority in parliament would be a "dangerous" choice, Anglu Farrugia believes, adding it could "jam" democracy. The former Speaker, who bowed out yesterday after his successor Carmelo Abela was voted in by the new parliament, was inter- viewed by MaltaToday. "It would be dangerous… if they cannot agree on a two-thirds ma- jority, democracy in this coun- try is jammed. No country in the Commonwealth has such a sys- tem," he said. The Speaker is elected by simple majority, however, on Saturday, Abela, who was nominated by Prime Minister Robert Abela, re- ceived unanimous backing from both sides of the House. Similar- ly, Opposition Leader Alex Borg's nomination for deputy speaker, Bernard Grech, received full sup- port from both sides. Asked what advice he would give his successor, Farrugia replied: "My advice to him is where he is unsure of something, he should stop and think and seek advice, and when giving a ruling, it should be unconditioned". The former Speaker said he had a "clean conscience" and no re- grets on the rulings he gave in his 13-year span in the role. He insists, despite the at-times heavy criti- cism he may have received, none of his rulings were ever contested. "I dedicated a lot of time to un- derstand the facts, because any- body can put forward a narrative but a ruling is a decision based on procedure, applicable laws and facts. I gave around 300 rulings. Every MP has a right to dispute a ruling by appealing it. None were appealed and it is not because An- glu Farrugia caused anyone to fear doing so; they were not contested because the decisions were [cor- rect]," he said. Personal Loans NEW BOAT? All loans are subject to normal bank lending criteria and final approval from the Bank. The term of the loan must not go beyond re rement age. Issued by Bank of Valle a p.l.c. 58, Triq San Żakkarija, Il-Belt Valle a VLT 1130. Bank of Valle a p.l.c. is regulated by the MFSA and licensed to carry out the business of banking in terms of the Banking Act (Cap. 371 of the Laws of Malta). Compe ve Interest Rates YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT SUNDAY 21 JUNE 2026 • ISSUE 1390 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY maltatoday €2.20 Clean conscience Archaeological finds Migration fault line All Maltese MEPs embrace far- right rhetoric on migration Anglu Farrugia speaks on his 13 years as Speaker There were 172 ancient discoveries last year, report shows INTERVIEW MT2 PAGES 4-5 PAGES 8-9 CONTINUES PAGE 10 Italian heatwaves, droughts drive inflation in Malta MALTA'S climate debate often focus- es on rising tem- peratures but a new Central Bank of Malta study suggests the most significant eco- nomic risks may be imported from Italy. Italy is a key trading partner for Mal- ta and according to Senior Research Economist Theo- dossios Drossidis, the deep integration between both countries creates a "climate bridge". JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt President Myriam Spiteri Debono addressing the first session of parliament in which she read out the government programme for the next five years. Looking on (left) is Speaker Carmelo Abela who was elected unanimously. (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday) Electing Speaker by two-thirds would be 'dangerous' KURT SANSONE ksansone@mediatoday.com.mt SEE PAGE 3