The swearing-in ceremony of the new Cabinet of Ministers is to take place at 3.30pm today, the Department of Information has announced.

The ceremony will be held before the Labour Party organises its Freedom Day activity in Vittoriosa, which will likely turn into a victory celebration as well as to introduce the new ministerial set-up.

Prime Minister Robert Abela has seemingly finalised his series of meetings and the lin-up will be announced officially in the coming hours.

News emerging from Castille shows that while most ministers will be retaining their post, to which they were appointed by Abela himself two years ago, others will have different responsibilities.

Among those most likely to retain their position are Chris Fearne (health), Clyde Caruana (finance), Clint Camilleri (Gozo), Clifton Grima (education), Michael Falzon (family), Roderick Galdes (housing) and Anton Refalo (agriculture).

Other ministers will see their portfolio changed, including Ian Borg, who is likely to be moved from projects to the foreign ministry.

Miriam Dalli is to have the environment added to her energy portfolio, with Aaron Farrugia moving to the ministry previously occupied by Ian Borg.

Byron Camilleri will also retain the home affairs ministry, but is to be handed the responsibility for Identity Malta. 

Clayton Bartolo is set to retain the tourism ministry, with Silvio Schembri also staying on in the economy ministry.

Owen Bonnici is set to replace Jose Herrera in the Ministry for Culture.

Jonathan Attard is being named as a successor to Edward Zammit Lewis in the Justice Ministry.

Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, a former parliamentary secretary, will be promoted to minister responsible for planning, while Julia Farrugia Portelli is set to remain responsible for inclusion.

It is understood that veteran MP Michael Farrugia will be named as the new Speaker, replacing Anglu Farrugia. It is not known whether Michael Farrugia will keep his seat as MP, or resign to make way for a replacement on the district from which he was elected.

This is Abela's first task since being sworn into office on Monday morning.

Over the last 24 hours he summoned MPs Castille to discuss their positions. Currently he will have 29 PL MPs to choose from, given that nine PL MPs were elected on two districts and the casual elections have not yet taken place.