UK Parliament to meet for 1st time since election

[May 18, 2010]  LONDON (AP) -- Britain's new Parliament is to meet for the first time since the country's general election to swear-in lawmakers and elect the speaker of the House of Commons.

The country's coalition government took office last week -- a partnership between the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties. They are expected to sit together on the benches of the House of Commons when the Parliament meets Tuesday. More than a third of the lawmakers are rookies -- 226 of the 650 legislators.

The election of a speaker is usually a formality, but John Bercow is facing opposition from lawmakers who believe he is too partisan.

Parliament will be formally opened next week when Queen Elizabeth II makes a speech to lawmakers, outlining the government's legislative program.

[Associated Press]

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