Prime Minister Robert Abela has revealed his new Cabinet, and significant changes have been made from last legislature.
Some of the major changes include Jo-Etienne Abela no longer being Health Minister, instead being placed in charge of tourism. Replacing him as health minister is, surprisingly, Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg, who will no longer be tasked with the Tourism and Foreign Affairs portfolios.
Chris Fearne will make a return to Cabinet. A Former Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister, he had resigned after prosecutors charged him in court in connection with the Hospitals deal. He has been appointed Minister for European and Foreign Affairs.
In another major change, while Clint Camilleri remains the Minister for Gozo, he loses the planning portfolio he had last legislature.
Byron Camilleri has been assigned a completely different Ministry. Instead of Home Affairs and Employment, he will now be the Minister for Education and Sport. Glenn Bedingfield will be taking over as Minister for Home Affairs and Security, a major portfolio and a sign of trust by the Prime 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.
Rosianne Cutajar makes a comeback to Cabinet. She had resigned from the PL Parliamentary Group in 2023 following pressure over a scandal, and then rejoined the Parliamentary Group in 2024. She has been appointed Minister for Equality and Civil Rights.
Miriam Dalli retains a super ministry. She keeps the Energy and Environment Portfolios. Her public cleanliness portfolio has however been replaced with the Grand Harbour regeneration portfolio. This indicates that she will spearhead the Grand Harbour regeneration project announced last legislature.
Chris Bonett, who was last legislature's Transport Minister, has been given a new ministry, the Ministry for Sustainable Mobility.
The Office of the Prime Minister, in a statement, said: "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."
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)
Main Image: