Ministers and parliamentary secretaries are being summoned to Castille for talks with the Prime Minister in view of the Cabinet reshuffle that is to be announced shortly.

With Marie Louise Coleiro Preca being moved from the Social Policy Ministry to the Presidential Palace, a change of responsibilities is on the cards and Prime Minister Joseph Muscat will use her nomination to shift portfolios.

Ministers and parliamentary secretaries have been told not to go abroad, and this portal on Monday reported that Ministers Konrad Mizzi and Joe Mizzi cancelled a trip to Russia in view of the changes to the Cabinet.

Parliamentary secretary Edward Zammit Lewis had an interview scheduled with this media house this week and this was cancelled, while Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia had also been contacted by The Malta Independent for a meeting, but no appointment has been given.

Both are believed to be involved in the changes that Dr Muscat will be carrying out.

Apart from Ms Coleiro Preca, parliamentary secretary Franco Mercieca in all likelihood will also move out after having requested to pursue his professional career.

Earlier this week, Labour MP Marlene Farrugia, the partner of the health minister, expressed her concern over the Cabinet reshuffle suspense, which she claimed “is causing much anguish and uncertainty among the people in the ministry of health and other ministries, questioning if the prolongation of the reshuffle is necessary.

PM Muscat must also keep in mind the end of term for European Commissioner Tonio Borg in November. It is possible that his replacement will also come from the Cabinet.