Presidency: ‘a celebration of a country that believes in inclusivity’

300 children, elderly persons and persons with disability will be Marie Louise Coleiro Preca’s special guests during Friday’s swearing-in ceremony at the President’s Palace in Valletta.

Pledging to be the “social conscience” of Maltese society, Malta’s youngest and second female President also chose for mass to be held at the Dar tal-Providenza in Siggiewi.

Marie Louise Coleiro Preca on her swearing-in ceremony

“Presidency is not about celebrating an individual but the celebration of a sovereign country,” Coleiro Preca said, adding that even the mass will be set up in a way to reflect inclusivity.

A marquee has been set up at Dar tal-Providenza, where mass will be held. It is expected that around 1,000 people, including the home’s residents, will be present.

As she walks her way through Republic Street to the President’s Palace, Coleiro Preca will be accompanied by roughly 400 children. The walk will start from the Palazzo Ferreria – which served as her ministerial office for the past year – towards St George’s square.

A group of around 300 persons will be following live the swearing-in ceremony right from the Palace’s courtyard and will be meeting Coleiro Preca right after she takes her oath.

Accompanied by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil and Alternattiva Demokratika chairperson Arnold Cassola, the new President will salute the public from the palace’s balcony.

Vulnerable persons have been placed at the heart of this six-hour activity, a message that Coleiro Preca will not abandon her personal pledge of being the voice of the weakest.

“I chose to walk through Republic Street with the children because they represent our present and the future; the elderly will be at the President’s Palace because we are here thanks to them,” she said.

A Maltese flag that will be blessed during the mass will be raised at San Anton Palace.

“The actual ceremony is very short, but the activities organised are a symbol of unity. I wanted this day to be a reflection of a population that believes in and celebrates inclusivity.”

Coleiro Preca’s first official visit will be to Gozo.