Opposition leader Simon Busuttil yesterday announced a radical shake-up of his shadow cabinet, which now includes two MEPs, Roberta Metsola and Therese Commodini Cachia.

The shadow cabinet will be made up of 10 members, who will oversee other MPs functioning as spokespersons in subject areas ranging from health living to immigration.

MEP Roberta Metsola has been tasked with shadowing European and foreign affairs, whereas her colleague Therese Commodini Cachia will shadow education and employment.

Dr Busuttil said the two MEPs will shadow portfolios that they already work on in Brussels. He said the two MEPs will be helped by other MPs who will be able to speak on their behalf and ask questions in Parliament.

Including his MEPs in the shadow cabinet will ensure that all of the talent available to the PN is used.

He explained that each member of the shadow cabinet will work in groups or clusters of MPs under the coordination of each shadow minister.

“This will ensure that all the Parliamentary group will be involved in the work of the Opposition and that no one will be left out. It will also ensure a greater focus and cohesion in the work of the entire group,” he said.

Each MP will be given responsibility for a specific sector, ensuring more focus and coordination, Dr Busuttil said.

Former ministers Tonio Fenech, George Pullicino, Carm Mifsud Bonnici and Joe Cassar are all absent from the shadow cabinet.

Mr Fenech is now the spokesperson for foreign affairs, Mr Pullicino the spokesperson for early and compulsory education, Dr Mifsud Bonnici the spokesperson on employment and Dr Cassar the spokesperson for culture and arts.

Dr Busuttil said that no one is being disposed of and the three former ministers have been handed roles as spokespersons.

“Today I am sending out a strong signal of renewal. We are showing that we are willing and able to embrace change and to take the next step in the renewal and regeneration of the party. The new team will front the Opposition’s challenge to the government and we promise to give the government a strong and formidable Opposition,” he said. 

He explained that a number of new portfolios not present in the Prime Minister’s cabinet have also been introduced.

“Unlike the Prime Minister, when I speak about a new way of doing politics I mean what I say. This is why I am introducing a strong element of innovation in this reshuffle, not just in faces, but also in form and substance.”

He said new portfolios include the responsibility for “Citizens’ Rights, Justice and Democracy”, the singling out of “healthy lifestyle,” “the fight against poverty” and “immigration” as major political priorities.

Charlo Bonnici will be the spokesperson on hunting in view of the upcoming hunting referendum.

Dr Busuttil said that the reshuffle is yet another step in the process of rebuilding the PN in order to once again turn it into a major political force to be reckoned with and one that is able to present a serious challenge at the 2018 general election as a realistic alternative to the current government. 

The new shadow cabinet:

Simon Busuttil - Opposition leader

Mario de Marco - Shadow minister for Finance

Beppe Fenech Adami - Shadow minister for Home Affairs

Chris Said - Shadow minister for Gozo

Jason Azzopardi - Shadow minister for Citizens' Rights, Justice and Democracy

Claudio Grech - Shadow minister for Economic affairs

Marthese Portelli - Shadow minister for the Environment and Energy, Transport

Claudette Buttigieg - Shadow minister for Health

Paula Mifsud Bonnici - Shadow minister for  Social Policy

Roberta Metsola - Shadow minister for Foreign and European Affairs

Therese Commodini Cachia - Shadow minister for Education and employment