Former Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami was sworn in as Malta's President on Sunday, succeeding Guido de Marco to the mostly ceremonial role.
Fenech Adami, 70, resigned as prime minister last month, having earlier stepped down from the leadership of the ruling Nationalist Party.
He was elected President by the Maltese parliament on Monday, with the Opposition Labour Party against the nomination, saying that as a former party leader and prime minister, he did not represent unity.
"I understand the position of those who objected to my appointment and will do my best to be worthy of this office," Fenech Adami said at his inauguration.