In the end, what started as a day that indicated major changes to the Cabinet of Ministers ended up with just a tinkering of some portfolios.
Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri, who had been touted as being moved away from the responsibilities he has held for five and a half years, remained in his place, with the added duty of the National Development and Social Fund.
Owen Bonnici, apart from retaining Culture and Local Councils, is now taking over Public Lands from Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, who will now be Minister for EU Funds (previously under the OPM) and the Implementation of the Electoral Programme.
Alison Zerafa Civelli remains parliamentary secretary in Bonnici's ministry, while Andy Ellul will have the Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority added to his social dialogue responsibilities.
The changes were officially announced in a government statement after a morning of meetings that Prime Minister Robert Abela had with the Cabinet members concerned.
It was initially reported that Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri was to be given a completely new portfolio, with tourism mentioned as a possibility.
Camilleri had appeared to be the most likely to be shifted away from his current responsibilities, given that he is the longest serving minister in the same portfolio under Abela, having been given the assignment in January 2020, which was confirmed when Labour were re-elected in 2022.
His offer to resign last February in the wake of the drug heist from the AFM compound, which was refused by the Prime Minister, also indicated that he was set to be given a fresh start elsewhere. But the move was called off after the meeting with the PM.
It is suggested that the minister preferred to stay in a portfolio he knows well rather than accept a portfolio which would be seen as a demotion.
This, in effect, spoilt the Prime Minister's plans to have Bonnici take over the Home Affairs portfolio. Bonnici however saw his responsibilities increase with Public Lands, taken from the ministry for which Zrinzo Azzopardi is responsible. Instead, the latter now has EU funds placed under his wing.
In comments given to media stationed outside the OPM on Wednesday morning, Camilleri had told reporters that he is staying put.
"I will continue to serve in the same sectors as before - home affairs and employment, which was added to my portfolio just over a year ago," Camilleri said as he left Abela's office.
"I thank the prime minister for his continued backing and trust."
As a result of the announcement of new responsibilities in Cabinet, two permanent secretaries have been assigned new roles in different ministries, the government said in a separate statement.
Carlos Tabone will assume the role of Permanent Secretary within the Office of the Prime Minister (Equality, Reforms and Social Dialogue), while Jonathan Vassallo will take up the position of Permanent Secretary within the Ministry for European Funds and Implementation of the Electoral Programme.