He promised he would do it. And he did.

During the election campaign, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi frequently said that he was prepared to bring new people into his Cabinet if re-elected. With an opposition that was consistently picking on ministers and parliamentary secretaries who were involved in political controversies or did not deliver well, it was the right thing to say.

And the people believed him. So much so that the Nationalist Party was returned to government. With a slim majority, yes, but enough to administer the country for the next five years. Now that the people have made their judgment, Dr Gonzi kept his word and last Wednesday came up with a smaller Cabinet of Ministers, and one that leaves out seasoned politicians while bringing in fresh blood.

The people themselves helped Dr Gonzi in forming a Cabinet that includes so many new faces. For one thing, four ministers and four parliamentary secretaries were not elected, although three of the lot made it through to Parliament, thanks to the Constitutional amendment to give the PN a majority of seats to represent the majority of votes obtained. None of these three – Francis Zammit Dimech, Frans Agius and Edwin Vassallo – were however called by the PM to form part of the Cabinet.

But Dr Gonzi did not stop there. He himself left out three other ministers from his former team – Ninu Zammit, Jesmond Mugliett and Louis Deguara – all of whom were, in the last legislature, either involved in what the opposition labelled as scandals or else under-performed. He also left out Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando from his list, in spite of his being elected on two districts, following his alleged involvement in a development plan at Mistra that could have cost the PN the election.

On the other hand, Dr Gonzi called upon those ministers who did well in their particular sector, and gave them another portfolio. The non-election of the foreign and education minister meant that Dr Gonzi had to change things around rather extensively, but he managed to do so while at the same time reducing the number of his ministers.

Most of the eight ministers appointed have a bigger portfolio, and this is because the number of tasks had to be divided among a smaller number. Dr Gonzi himself, while shedding the finance ministry, took on the environment – another pre-electoral promise that he kept – and tourism.

The rest, with the exception of Giovanna Debono who retained her post as Gozo Minister with the same responsibilities, were given new tasks. Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg remains Dr Gonzi’s right hand man but now is responsible for foreign affairs, while one of the more successful ministers, Austin Gatt, has been given a massive portfolio which includes, rightly so, his “babies” – SmartCity and IT – but with the addition of, for example, roads.

The appointment of George Pullicino as Resources and Rural Affairs Minister confirms the Prime Minister’s confidence in the man – something that some quarters doubted after Dr Gonzi announced he would take over the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. Dolores Cristina, another strong performer, was given the tough education ministry.

We then had the expected return of John Dalli, this time as Social Policy Minister, and the promotion of Tonio Fenech and Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici from parliamentary secretaries to ministers.

The six parliamentary secretaries appointed are all new faces too, further proof that Dr Gonzi wanted to give his Cabinet fresh impetus and a new image.

It is now up to all of them to do their best. They all know that they have been entrusted with a responsibility and, if they fail to deliver, or if they are involved in matters that could be harmful to the government, they will be removed.

Dr Gonzi used the election result to build a new team. This time he will not wait that long to make the necessary adjustments, if needs be.