Dr Robert Abela sworn in as Malta’s new Prime Minister

In his first address to the nation just hours after taking his oath of office as Prime Minister, Robert Abela promised that his government will deliver national unity, stability and peace of mind “because this is what people want”.

“People want peace of mind and stability and this is what we will deliver. People want national unity because this always made us stronger. Let us find common ground so that together we can move forward,” he said, echoing his leadership slogan.

Dr Abela said the government will continue implementing its 2017 electoral manifesto to continue improving people’s lives through social justice and social mobility and ensure that the country’s wealth reaches more people.  He said it was his privilege to serve and ensure that the country keeps moving forward to create more wealth and register more successes. “I am in politics to help people and this is what I will keep doing. Together we will keep working for the benefit of the country,” he said.

Robert Abela, 42, is, comparatively, a newcomer: his political foray can be traced back to a PL meeting before the 2013 general election. At 42, Abela will be the EU’s fourth youngest prime minister or head of state.

He won the Labour leadership election on Saturday, beating Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne.

President Emeritus George Abela, Robert Abela’s father, was also in attendance. In comments to the media, he urged his son to keep his feet firmly on the ground. He said he had been struck by the warm welcome Robert had received after being elected Labour leader.

Abela’s family roots are in Qormi, where his legal office is based, but lived most of his life in Ghaxaq and Marsaskala. He attended the nun’s school in Santa Luċija and St Francis primary school in Bormla. He continued his secondary school and sixth form at St Aloysius College. He graduated as a lawyer from the University of Malta in 2002.

Abela met his future wife, Lydia, at univeristy where they attended the same course. They got married in 2008. Lydia is a lawyer and the secretary of the PL executive. They have a seven-year-old daughter, Giorgia Mae.

epa08125535 (L-R) Miriam Vella, wife of President of Malta George Vella (2-L), newly elected Prime Minister Robert Abela (C) together with his wife Lydia Abela (R) and daughter Giorgia-Mae wave to the crowd after his swearing-in as new Prime Minister of Malta at the Grandmaster’s Palace, Valletta, Malta, 13 January 2020. EPA-EFE/DOMENIC AQUILINA

epa08125503 Malta’s new Prime Minister Robert Abela together with wife his Lydia Abela (partially hidden) together with wife Lydia Abela (R) and daughter Giorgia-Mae (C) waves to the crowd after his swearing-in as new Prime Minister of Malta at the Grandmaster’s Palace, Valletta, Malta, 13 January 2020. EPA-EFE/DOMENIC AQUILINA

epa08125554 Malta’s new Prime Minister Robert Abela, his wife Lydia Abela and daughter Giorgia-Mae enter the Grandmaster’s Palace, for the swearing-in ceremony as Prime Minister in Valletta, Malta, 13 January 2020. EPA-EFE/DOMENIC AQUILINA

epa08125555 Malta’s new Prime Minister Robert Abela, his wife Lydia Abela and daughter Giorgia-Mae enter the Grandmaster’s Palace, for the swearing-in ceremony as Prime Minister in Valletta, Malta, 13 January 2020. EPA-EFE/DOMENIC AQUILINA

epa08125562 Malta’s new Prime Minister Robert Abela (C) with wife Lydia (2-L) on his way to enter his office at the Auberge De Castille, Valletta, Malta, 13 January 2020. EPA-EFE/DOMENIC AQUILINA

epa08125567 Malta’s new Prime Minister Robert Abela (C) on his way to enter his office at the Auberge De Castille, Valletta, Malta, 13 January 2020. EPA-EFE/DOMENIC AQUILINA

epa08125568 Malta’s new Prime Minister Robert Abela (C) on his way to enter his office at the Auberge De Castille, Valletta, Malta, 13 January 2020. EPA-EFE/DOMENIC AQUILINA

epaselect epa08125553 Malta’s newly elected Prime Minister Robert Abela and his wife Lydia Abela arrive at the Grandmaster’s Palace, Valletta, Malta, 13 January 2020. EPA-EFE/DOMENIC AQUILINA