The speculation about who would form part of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi’s new Cabinet is over. Some rumours about who was going to be appointed minister were confirmed and others were not. As promised, Dr Gonzi gave the Maltese and Gozitans new faces, giving younger MPs the important role of parliamentary secretaries and reshuffling the ministers’ portfolios in such a way that the new responsibilities dovetail.
Not only did he appoint new faces while keeping those with experience, but he also reduced the number of ministries from 12 to eight, meaning there was a major reshuffle in portfolios.
For example, the Rural Affairs and Resources Ministry kept the same portfolio – with the exception of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority which now falls directly under the Prime Minister – another fulfilled electoral promise.
However, Communications and National Projects Minister Austin Gatt still has part of his old portfolio but now this includes roads and coordination of urban development projects – two areas that fell under former minister Jesmond Mugliett.
As a result, since the number of ministries have been reduced and the portfolios changed, the ministers will have to change where they touch base.
Education and Culture Minister Dolores Cristina will no longer remain at Palazzo Ferreria, in front of the old opera house, but will move to the Education Ministry in Beltissebh.
Social Policy Minister John Dalli, who will once again take up the mantle of a minister after four years, will move to Mrs Cristina’s former office at Palazzo Ferreria.
Resources and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino will remain at his ministry in Barriera Wharf, Valletta and it seems that newly appointed Finance, Economy and Investment Minister Tonio Fenech will remain at his offices in Old Mint Street, Valletta.
Deputy Prime Minister and now also Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg will no longer remain at Auberge D’Aragon but will take up office at Palazzo Parisio in Merchant’s Street.
However, former parliamentary secretary of Justice – now Justice and Home Affairs Minister – Carmel Mifsud Bonnici will remain at Auberge D’Aragon.
Even though it is not confirmed, it seems that Dr Gatt will remain at his ministry in Strait Street, while Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono’s office will remain the same.
There are at least five former ministries that might remain empty simply because there are no more ministers to fill the portfolio: Health, Tourism, Roads and Urban Development, Communications and Competitiveness and Resources and Infrastructure.
However, these ministries might easily be used as the offices of the newly appointed parliamentary secretaries: Parliamentary secretary for Health Joe Cassar is likely to be allocated the Health Ministry while Parliamentary secretary for Tourism Mario de Marco might move to Auberge D’Italie.