Prime Minister Robert Abela said Monday that the removal of Aaron Farrugia from the Cabinet was part of a regeneration process and not related to performance.

Farrugia was the only minister to be sacked in Saturday's reshuffle, which saw the PM order a list of changing of responsibilities among ministers and the appointment of three new parliamentary secretaries.

Speaking to the media, the Prime Minister continued that chang of portfolios should not be associated with poor performance or the idea that an issue had arisen. Instead, he said that it is necessary for a Prime Minister to make these changes from time to time to avoid stagnation “as being witnessed by our Opposition – it is not renewing itself and it is stagnating”.

“These changes were made so that this strong rhythm [to implement the electoral manifesto] can be further accelerated,” Abela stated.

Furthermore, he asked why journalists were singling out Aaron Farrugia following this Cabinet reshuffle considering that other changes were made too. “I exercised my judgement, not saying it’s perfect, though I used it in consideration for what was best towards the national interest.”

Abela rejected comments being made that the planning sectors was assigned to Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri as a way of satisfying known developer Joseph Portelli. Defending Minister Camilleri, the Prime Minister described him as “not just a Minister of great competence, but also a very competent architect.”

Henceforth, he stated his belief that everything that must be prioritised within the field of planning, i.e., “intelligent development”, the importance of development within a diversified economy, unrestrained development, aesthetics, keeping an environmental outlook at the forefront, etc., can be balanced out by the Minister for Gozo and Planning due to his experience.

Additionally, the Prime Minister did not provide a direct answer to say how much more expensive this cabinet shall cost, considering its increased size. Abela’s response to this was that it would cost “certainly less than the cabinet did during the past Nationalist government, since that was a cabinet that did damage beyond limits to the country.”

“I believe that rather discussing the expense of this cabinet, we should be focusing on the results it is leaving on the country,” said the Prime Minister.

Additionally, Abela also mentioned that this week during a meeting of the Labour Party’s parliamentary group, he shall be proposing Naomi Cachia as the group’s new Whip. She will replace Andy Ellul.