Newly sworn-in Prime Minister Robert Abela is expected to announce Cabinet reshuffle in the coming hours, sources have told this newsroom.

Abela, who was sworn in this afternoon, held a meeting of the Labour Parliamentary Group at the Auberge de Castille. He is also expected to hold one-to-one meetings with MPs on Tuesday. Abela will also address the nation shortly before 8pm.

The future of Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne remains unclear. Fearne, who lost the leadership election to Abela, did not show up at his office today and sources said he had started packing up his belongings. The sources also said he had not yet spoken to his staff.

Abela comments from The Malta Independent on Vimeo.

Fearne was seen entering the Office of the Prime Minister at around 4pm. He was present for the Parliamentary Group meeting, as seen in the main photo.

Abela had earlier told journalists he would be meeting the Deputy PM on Monday evening.

Speaking to journalists after the ceremony, Abela said he would be communicating his first decisions “at a later stage. Asked whether he was expecting to receive Fearne’s resignation, Abela said he was not. “I have already declared that I am willing to work with Chris Fearne and my position remains the same.”

Asked how he felt about the fact that Fearne did not show up for any events on Sunday and today, Abela said he was in regular contact with Fearne. “I spoke to him a short while ago and we will be meeting tonight.”