Seasoned businessman with over 35 years of experience, Ivan J Bartolo, has officially been appointed as the Nationalist Party’s (PN) economy spokesperson, after having been elected to Parliament in the March 2022 general election.

On Monday evening, PN Leader Bernard Grech revealed his new shadow cabinet, with considerable changes from the previous legislature after several seasoned party members failed to get elected or stepped away from the party, such as Kristy Debono who resigned at the start of the campaign trail, while Jason Azzopardi, Edwin Vassallo and Karl Gouder failed to get elected even after casual elections were held.

In Mr Bartolo’s economy portfolio, he has also been assigned Air Malta, and the development of new economic sectors.

Of the portfolios that concern Malta’s business landscape and economy, other appointments of note, Robert Cutajar has been removed from environment spokesperson, and has been given self-employed and SMEs within his portfolio, along with being appointed PN Whip and MP secretary.

PN Finance Spokesperson Jerome Caruana Cilia 

Newcomer Jerome Caruana Cilia has been appointed finance spokesperson, while former PN leader Adrian Delia has been assigned a massive portfolio which includes transport, mobility and capital projects.

In addition, Ryan Callus is no longer energy spokesperson, and is now tasked with overseeing infrastructure and public works.

Ivan Castillo has been assigned shadow spokesperson for the maritime sector and employment.

PN Spokesperson for Lands and Consumer Rights, Rebekah Cilia 

Another newcomer, Rebekah Cilia – an engineer by profession – has been appointed spokesperson for lands and consumer rights, while Bernice Bonello has been appointed EU funds spokesperson.

Mark Anthony Sammut has been appointed spokesperson for energy and enterprise, while well-known lawyer who was elected on two districts despite contesting the election for the first time, Joe Giglio, has been made spokesperson for reforms and home affairs.

Another newcomer to Parliament, Darren Carabott, has been given the contentious role of Public Accounts Committee Chair, while Graham Bencini was named spokesperson of sport and public broadcasting.