Prime Minister Joseph Muscat today announced a series of changes to the Cabinet of Ministers after the nomination of Marie Louise Coleiro Preca as President and the resignations of Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia and parliamentary secretary Franco Mercieca.
The changes were announced in a Department of Information statement.
No press conference was held, but Dr Muscat tweeted that "we are an energetic government and will continue to deliver".
Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella has been named EU Commissioner and will no longer remain part of the Cabinet. He will eventually replace Tonio Borg when the latter's term expires in November.
Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi will be also Health Minister (replacing Dr Godfrey Farrugia who resigned) with Chris Fearne as parliamentary secretary for health.
Michael Farrugia, until today responsible for Mepa and the simplification of administrative procedures, will be Social Policy Minister with Justyne Caruana as parliamentary secretary for disabled and elderly persons. She takes over from Franco Mercieca, a Gozitan replacing a Gozitan.
Edward Zammit Lewis, until now parliamentary secretary in the economy ministry, is now Tourism Minister.
Owen Bonnici has been promoted to Justice and Local Government Minister with Stefan Buontempo, until now responsible for research, innovation and sports, moving on to the post of parliamentary secretary for local councils.
Michael Falzon is parliamentary secretary responsible for planning in the Office of the Prime Minister.
Chris Agius is parliamentary secretary for research, innovation and sports, replacing Dr Buontempo.
Jose Herrera moves away from culture and is now parliamentary secretary for competition and economic growth.
Carmelo Abela will be the official government spokesman while Tony Agius Decelis is commissioner against bureaucracy, replacing Michael Falzon.
The new positions will be effective as from 2 April, after the resignation of Marie Louise Coleiro Preca.
The Cabinet is made up of 15 ministers and eight parliamentary secretaries, the same as there was before. Some portfolios have been changed.
In all, four have moved out of the Cabinet to be replaced by another four, not necessarily in the same portfolio. Two parliamentary secretaries have been promoted to ministers, while another two have had their responsibilities changed.
The full Cabinet is as follows
Office of the Prime Minister
Prime Minister
Dr Joseph Muscat
Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Administrative Simplification
Dr Michael Falzon (new)
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Affairs and the implementation of the Electoral Manifesto
Louis Grech
Parliamentary Secretary for EU Presidency 2017 and European Funds
Dr Ian Borg
Foreign Affairs Minister
Dr George Vella
Education and Employment Minister
Evarist Bartolo
Parliamentary secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth and Sport
Chris Agius (new)
Sustainable Development, Environment, and Climate Change Minister
Leo Brincat
Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights
Roderick Galdes
Transport and Infrastructure Minister
Joe Mizzi
Gozo Minister
Dr Anton Refalo
Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Rights Minister
Dr Helena Dalli
Economy, Investment and Small Business Minister
Dr Christian Cardona
Parliamentary secretary for Competition and Economic Growth
Dr Jose' Herrera (changed portfolio)
Home Affairs and National Security Minister
Dr Emanuel Mallia
Finance Minister
Prof Edward Scicluna
Energy and Health Minister
Dr Konrad Mizzi (additional portfolio)
Parliamentary Secretary for Health
Dr Chris Fearne (new)
Family and Social Solidarity Minister
Dr Michael Farrugia (promoted)
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabled Persons and Elderly People’s rights
Dr Justyne Caruana (new)
Justice, Culture and Local Government Minister
Dr Owen Bonnici (promoted)
Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government
Dr Stefan Buontempo (changed portfolio)
Tourism Minister
Dr Edward Zammit Lewis (promoted)