Outgoing Finance Minister Edward Scicluna delivered a farewell speech on Sunday morning, where he described himself as being just as emotional 12 years ago when he joined the Labour Party to stand for European elections.

Prof Scicluna gave his speech in the presence of Cabinet colleagues and Labour officials, who gave him a standing ovation as he spoke.

The outgoing finance minister is leaving his position after seven years to be the Governor of the Central Bank of Malta, and will be replaced by the PM’s head of secretariat, Clyde Caruana.

Speaking of his replacement, Prof Scicluna said he has a “soft spot” for him, adding that he can retire from his position at the finance ministry knowing the portfolio has been placed in good hands.

“I told the prime minister that has made a good choice. I know Clyde, not only as one of my past students, but we worked closely together behind the scenes. He always came forward with his own ideas, and I can retire from this position with my mind at ease that the finance ministry is in good hands,” he said.

(Left) Outgoing Finance Minister Edward Scicluna / Newly appointed Finance Minister Clyde Caruana

Dr Caruana headed JobsPlus during Joseph Muscat’s administration, and previously held the position of Labour Party Mayor of Zabbar. He is known for having masterminded the youth guarantee drawn up by the UHM before the 2013 election which was taken up by the incoming Labour Government and was also the architect of the free childcare system introduced by Government in 2014.

Prime Minister Robert Abela’s Cabinet Reshuffle:

Ministers

Chris Fearne – Deputy Prime Minister & Health Minister (unchanged)

Evarist Bartolo – European and Foreign Affairs Minister (unchanged)

Michael Farrugia – Elderly and Active Ageing Minister (formerly Energy and Water Management)

Owen Bonnici – Research, Innovation and Coordination of the Post-COVID-19 Strategy Minister (formerly Education)

José Herrera – National Heritage, Arts and Local Government Minister (unchanged)

Carmelo Abela – Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister (unchanged)
Ian Borg – Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Minister (Lands Authority removed and placed within Economy Ministry, while Parliamentary Secretary for Construction Chris Agius has also been removed and placed within the portfolio of the Environment Ministry)

Michael Falzon – Family, Children's Rights and Social Solidarity Minister (unchanged)

Edward Zammit Lewis – Justice, Equality and Governance Minister (unchanged)

Anton Refalo – Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Minister (unchanged)

Roderick Galdes – Social Accommodation Minister (unchanged)

Justyne Caruana – Education Minister (Dr Caruana has been reinstated to Cabinet after resigning early this year over a trip her husband, then Deputy Police Commissioner Silvio Valletta, took with murder suspect Yorgen Fenech. She takes over from Owen Bonnici who was formerly Education Minister under Dr Abela’s initial Cabinet)

Silvio Schembri - Economy and Industry Minister (Newly accorded Lands Authority, taken from the Infrastructure Ministry, but loses Malta Enterprise and Air Malta from his portfolio. He has gained digital economy services from the finance ministry, including major regulators such as the MGA, the MFSA, Gaming Malta, MITA, the MCA, the MDIA and Tech.mt

Julia Farrugia Portelli - Inclusion and quality of life Minister (formerly Tourism Minister)

Aaron Farrugia – Environment, Climate Change and Planning Minister (Gained Parliamentary Secretary for Construction)

Clint Camilleri – Gozo Minister (unchanged)

Byron Camilleri – Home Affairs, Law Enforcement and National Security Minister (unchanged)

Clayton Bartolo – Tourism and Consumer Protection Minister (formerly Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services and Digital Economy)

Miriam Dalli – Energy, Enterprise and Sustainable Development (Newcomer to Cabinet and formerly a PL MEP & recently co-opted to Parliament. Malta Enterprise has been taken from the Economy Minister and now falls under Dr Dalli’s remit)

Clyde Caruana - Finance and Employment Minister (Newcomer to Cabinet)

Parliamentary secretaries

Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi – EU Funds

Rosianne Cutajar – Equality and Reform

Clifton Grima – Sports, Youth and Volunteering

Chris Agius – Construction

Alex Muscat – Citizenship and Community

Deo Debattista – Consumer Rights and Public Cleansing

Former Parliamentary Secretary for active ageing, Silvio Parnis, has seen his Cabinet position terminated, with the portfolio elevated to a Ministerial level under Michael Farrugia, a doctor by profession. Mr Parnis had received harsh criticism over the outbreak of COVID-19 in Malta's homes for the elderly.