Prime Minister unveils new Cabinet with significant changes from last legislature

Prime Minister Robert Abela has announced his Cabinet, and there are major differences from last legislature.

A statement by the Office of the Prime Minister read that the composition of the Cabinet reflects the Government’s commitment to implementing the electoral manifesto chosen by the people, particularly in relation to wealth creation and investment in people’s quality of life.

Among the major differences to last legislature, Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg will be taking over the Health Ministry, instead of having the tourism and foreign affairs portfolios.

Jo-Etienne Abela, the former health minister, will be in charge of the Tourism Ministry.

Chris Fearne will make a return to Cabinet. A Former Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister, he had resigned after prosecutors charged him and many others in court in connection with the Hospitals deal. He pleaded not guilty. He was elected on two districts this election, and Prime Minister Abela has appointed him the Minister for European and Foreign Affairs.

Clint Camilleri remains the Minister for Gozo, however he loses the planning portfolio he had last legislature.

Glenn Bedingfield has been appointed the Home Affairs and Security Minister, while Byron Camilleri will now be the Education and Sport Minister.

Jonathan Attard, who was the justice minister last legislature, will now be the Minister for Planning, Infrastructure and Employment.

Clyde Caruana will be, unsurprisingly, retaining the Finance Ministry. Silvio Schembri retains a similar ministry to that which he held last legislature. He has been appointed Minister for the Economy, Technology and Strategic Projects.

Miriam Dalli retains a super ministry. She keeps the Energy and Environment Portfolios. Public Cleanliness has been removed from her ministry’s title, instead replaced with Grand Harbour Regeneration. This indicates that she will spearhead the Grand Harbour regeneration project announced last legislature.

Owen Bonnici will no longer be Culture Minister, instead now being assigned the Housing and Lands portfolios.

Cabinet members will take their oaths of office tomorrow.

The new Cabinet:

 Ian Borg – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health

Owen Bonnici – Minister for Housing and Lands

Michael Falzon – Minister for Social Policy and the Family

Anton Refalo – Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Supply

Silvio Schembri – Minister for the Economy, Technology and Strategic Projects

Julia Farrugia – Minister for Inclusion and Volunteering

Clint Camilleri – Minister for Gozo

Byron Camilleri – Minister for Education and Sport

Miriam Dalli – Minister for Energy, the Environment and Grand Harbour Regeneration

Clyde Caruana – Minister for Finance

Clifton Grima – Minister for Justice, Research and Innovation

Jonathan Attard – Minister for Planning, Infrastructure and Employment

Jo Etienne Abela – Minister for Tourism

Chris Bonett – Minister for Sustainable Mobility

Chris Fearne – Minister for Foreign and European Affairs

Alison Zerafa Civelli – Minister for Local Government and Public Works

Keith Azzopardi Tanti – Minister for European Funds, Social Dialogue and Consumer Protection

Glenn Bedingfield – Minister for Home Affairs and Security

Malcolm Paul Agius Galea – Minister for Arts, Culture and National Heritage

Omar Farrugia – Minister for Youth, Wellbeing and the Implementation of the Electoral Programme

Rosianne Cutajar – Minister for Equality and Civil Rights

Deo Debattista – Parliamentary Secretary within the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Ministry for Health (responsible for Active Ageing)

Alicia Bugeja Said – Parliamentary Secretary within the Ministry for Energy, the Environment and Climate (responsible for Animal Welfare)