Government decides to appoint Anglu Farrugia Speaker

The government has decided to appoint former PL deputy leader Anglu Farrugia as Speaker of the House, informed sources said. The appointment had been rumoured ever since Dr Farrugia had a meeting with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat a few days after the general election. When contacted Dr Farrugia said he did not wish to comment until an official announcement is made. In December Dr Farrugia was asked to resign from his PL post after a dramatic falling-out with Dr Muscat following comments which Dr Farrugia made on a member of the judiciary. He had at the time described his removal as a political assassination. He subsequently did not contest the general election. It is understood that Dr Farrugia has already had a meeting with current Speaker Michael Frendo. Dr Farrugia has some experience in the running of the House, having served as chairman of committees under the last Labour government from 1996 and 1998. In that position he used his casting vote for the Budget to be approved after Dom Mintoff abstained. Last Saturday, Opposition leader Lawrence Gonzi said the government should appoint a serving Labour MP as Speaker in view of the government's nine-seat parliamentary majority...