On Thursday, Leader of the Opposition, Simon Busuttil announced a radical shake-up of his shadow cabinet, which now includes two Nationalist MEPs, Roberta Metsola and Therese Comodini Cachia. Dr Metsola will shadow European and Foreign Affairs; whereas Dr Comodini Cachia will shadow education and employment.

In comments to this newspaper, both MEPs stressed that their work as Members of the European Parliament will not be jeopardised by this new role. Rather, it will help in dealing with local affairs.

“My work within the European Parliament will only assist in my new role, and I will be working alongside members of two working groups, who will be of assistance. It is an honour to be handed such and significant role, and I accept it humbly, yet with a sense of responsibility. I am in complete agreement with Dr Busuttil’s choices in creating a constructive and accountable Opposition,” Metsola said.

As a member of the Education Committee within the EP, Therese Comodini Cachia was already following developments in Malta’s local education and employment sector. “In the past months I have been in contact with a number of stakeholders to better represent the Maltese electorate within the education committee. I am determined to continue to strengthen my understanding of these sectors; this will be central to my work. Since being elected a MEP, I have continuously fulfilled my responsibility by being in Brussels and Malta on different days of each week, and this will continue to be the case, Comodini Cachia said.

 

In a press conference on Thursday, Dr Busuttil said that including MEPs in the shadow cabinet ensures that all talent available to the Nationalist Party is used. The two MEPs are to be helped by other MPs who will be able to speak on their behalf and ask questions in parliament, with each MP given a specific sector.