Cabinet won't grow any bigger, Abela says as 21 ministers and 2 juniors sworn in
Robert Abela said he was fortunate to have such a competent team of people around him
Updated 3.25pm
Robert Abela has said he will not add any more members to his large cabinet of 21 ministers and two parliamentary secretaries even after the results of casual elections and the gender corrective mechanism are factored in.
The prime minister was speaking to the media at Castille shortly after his cabinet was sworn in to office at a ceremony at the Grand Master's Palace in Valletta on Thursday.
Abela's cabinet has six more ministerial positions than the previous one but he has slashed the number of parliamentary secretaries. Only four Labour MPs elected on Sunday were not given a cabinet position and one of those includes Carmelo Abela, who is likely to be made Speaker.
At the start of the last legislature, Abela made some last-minute additions to the cabinet after casual elections took place, and the gender corrective mechanism kicked in.
He said he would not be adding any more members and that he will formally announce in the coming days who will be appointed Speaker of the House and Whip.
Abela spoke highly of his cabinet members during the conference.
“I feel privileged and fortunate to have a team of people who are so competent and are experts in their own areas," he said.
Among the major changes in Cabinet from the last legislature is Ian Borg, who will serve as Health Minister after spending years in charge of foreign affairs.
Robert Abela's cabinet. Slide to see the full list of ministers and parliamentary secretaries.
Some ministers retain their portfolios while others have changed roles. Slide for more
Chris Fearne returns to cabinet while Jonathan Attard has been given a super ministry. Slide for more
MPs who were junior ministers in the last legislature have been promoted such as Keith Azzopardi Tanti. Slide for more
Some new ministries have been created. Slide for more
There are two parliamentary secretaries, down from eight in the last legislature. Slide for more
Just four Labour MPs were not given cabinet roles. Graphic: Kristina Vella
Chris Fearne, who quit two years ago after being charged with fraud in connection to a deal to privatise three hospitals, returned to cabinet as foreign affairs minister.
And Glenn Bedingfield, who was formerly a parliamentary secretary, was promoted to Minister of Home Affairs. On Thursday, the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation highlighted how an inquiry into her murder singled him out as orchestrating "the worst expression" of a campaign against the journalist through blog posts and a TV programme.
Meanwhile in their first comments to the media after being sworn in, cabinet ministers said they will now focus on implementing their electoral program in the next five years.
After being sworn in by President Myriam Spiteri Debono in Valletta, ministers spoke briefly with the press outside the Grandmaster’s Palace.
Alison Zerafa Civelli embraces her sister, Lydia Abela, wife of the prime minister, after being sworn in. Photo: FacebookPlanning and Infrastructure Minister Jonathan Attard said he is committed to the implementation of each of Labour's electoral manifesto proposals.
The programme, he explained, will be the official government programme over the next five years.
Housing Minister Owen Bonnici, who has served in Cabinet since 2013, said he is looking forward to taking action in his new portfolio.
"One of the biggest challenges facing society today is entrusted to me", he said.
He also promised immediate implementation of electoral promises within his portfolio.
Local Government Minister Alison Zerafa Civelli said she is keen on working alongside mayors and councils to improve localities across Malta and Gozo.
"Who knows the needs of our localities more than mayors and local councillors?” she said.
Glenn Bedingfield will move from the position of parliamentary secretary for public cleanliness to that of Home Affairs Minister, stating that the role represents a "significant step up".
Bedingfield said he will build on existing progress towards implementing Labour's new electoral proposals.
Agriculture Minister Anton Refalo highlighted the importance of food sustainability within this new portfolio, noting the recent push towards the farm-to-fork strategy and a greater political commitment towards food security.
Health Minister Ian Borg said work will start immediately to improve the lives of Maltese and Gozitan people.