Busuttil’s reshuffle demotes veterans: ‘My prerogative as leader to effect change’

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil reshuffles shadow cabinet • Video Chris Mangion

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil has taken a bold move to shake-up his shadow cabinet in a bid to scrub off remnants of the Lawrence Gonzi administration by assigning them ‘spokesperson’ roles instead of the more superior nomenclature of ‘shadow minister’.

At a press conference he called at 6pm, Busuttil described his decision as exercising his prerogative as Opposition leader to effect the changes necessary for the Nationalist Party's renewal.

"Much like the prime minister has the prerogative to effect such changes, I am exercising my right as PN leader to effect these changes... in the interest of the party at this moment."

Busuttil, who took over as leader in 2013 and has already reshuffled party spokespersons and shadow ministers once since taking over, said defended his second reshuffle as a "strong move showing that the PN can continue renewing itself in Opposition."

"The Opposition has become a force to be reckoned with... an opposition that counts, that matters and that will be effective. Sometimes, as a leader, you must take hard decisions that isolate you from others. I have shown that I am ready to shoulder that responsibility.”

The reshuffle has meant an effective demotion for people like former finance minister Tonio Fenech, who is now a spokesperson on non-EU foreign affairs; former health minister Joe Cassar, now a spokesperson on arts and culture; and for former resources minister George Pullicino, a spokesperson on early and compulsory education. However, while Busuttil admitted that this decision could hurt some people, he denied that the former ministers have failed the party and insisted that they still have an important role to play.

Just announced major reshuffle in @PNmalta Shadow Cabinet. We are willing and able to renew.

— Simon Busuttil (@SimonBusuttil) January 8, 2015

When asked by MaltaToday whether his decision was based on his not wanting people suffering from potentially murky allegations in his shadow cabinet, Busuttil said that he had the right to make this decision with “full discretion”.

When asked whether his decision was based on recent public trust-barometers that show Busuttil lagging significantly behind Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, the Opposition leader said that “several factors” had a part to play in his decision.

• The shadow ministers will be Beppe Fenech Adami, Mario de Marco, Chris Said, Jason Azzopardi, Claudio Grech, Marthese Portelli, Claudette Buttigieg, Paula Mifsud Bonnici and MEPs Roberta Metsola and Therese Commodini Cachia. Other MPs will be spokesmen on particular subjects.
• Newcomer Paula Mifsud Bonnici is shadow for social policy.
• MEP Therese Comodini Cachia is expected to be appointed shadow minister for education, taking over from Joe Cassar while Roberta Metsola will shadow foreign and European affairs instead of Carm Mifsud Bonnici. Francis Zammit Dimech has become spokesman on immigration.
• Chris Said is shadow Gozo minister; Mario De Marco will be shadow finance minister, and Jason Azzopardi will be shadow justice, democracy and justice minister.

Each shadow minister will now be in charge of their own set of Opposition MPs, who have become spokespersons of particular subjects. Busuttil said that this change will improve coordination and focus within the shadow cabinet.

Party sources said Busuttil made a “bold, difficult choice” to present a new shadow cabinet to the electorate that did not include former Gonzi ministers in the front-bench, and to give each MP new portfolios.

Busuttil explained that this reshuffle was not simply about a change of faces but about a change in form and structure within the shadow cabinet. Notably, Jason Azzopardi has become shadow minister for citizens’ rights and democracy as well as for justice.

“We need a shadow minister responsible for democracy, because this country has problems of corruption, transparency and good governance,” Busuttil said. In view of the possibly upcoming spring hunting referendum, Charlo Bonnici has been made spokesperson for hunting. Francis Zammit Dimech has been made spokesperson for immigration, while Stephen Spiteri has been made spokesperson for the fight against poverty. 

“The Prime Minister spoke a lot when he was Opposition leader, but now we know that he’s all talk and that he has adopted an antiquated style of politics. However, while Muscat is all talk, I want to put my talk of renewal to practice.

“I am committed to improving the Opposition into an alternative party ahead of the next general elections.”

George Pullicino himself addressed the PN’s parliamentary group upon Busuttil’s announcement in what was described as a “magnanimous” submission to the PN leader’s decision. But other MPs are believed to be reconsidering whether they will contest the next elections upon their demotion.

With the 2018 election clearly in mind, Busuttil promoted shadow health minister Claudio Grech to shadow economy minister, while deputy leader for party affairs Beppe Fenech Adami will be shadow home affairs minister.

The exception was made for secretary-general Chris Said, a former minister for justice, deputy leader for parliamentary affairs Mario de Marco, a former environment minister, and former minister Jason Azzopardi, now shadow justice, democracy and citizens’ rights minister.

A previous reshuffle, in 2013, saw seven changes being made to Busuttil’s shadow cabinet.

Shadow ministers and their teams

Mario de Marco - Finance
Robert Arrigo: Small businesses, manufacturing sector, retail, self-employed and cooperatives.

Beppe Fenech Adami - Home Affairs
Police, Defence, Armed Forces, Security, Correctional Services, Civil Protection
Francis Zammit Dimech: Immigration

Chris Said - Gozo
Frederick Azzopardi: Spokesperson on Gozo Affairs
Giovanna Debono: Spokesperson on Gozo Affairs

Paula Mifsud Bonnici - Social Policy
Robert Cutajar: Family and the rights of children, the elderly and persons with a disability
Stephen Spiteri: Housing and the fight against poverty

Jason Azzopardi - Justice and Democracy
Clyde Puli: Citizens’ rights, equality, social dialogue, consumers’ rights, internet rights, communications and audio-visual policy
Joseph Cassar: Culture and the Arts
David Agius: Local Government, Youth and Sports

Claudette Buttigieg - Health and Healthy Lifestyle
Michael Gonzi: Primary Health and Healthcare Professions
Albert Fenech: Mental Health

Claudio Grech - Economic Affairs
Enterprise policy, competition policy, the creative industry, the knowledge society
Kristy Debono: Financial services, IT and gaming
Antoine Borg: Tourism
Censu Galea: Public Administration and Government Investments

Therese Commodini Cachia -  Education and Employment
Further and Higher education, research, innovation and socio-economic development
George Pullicino: Early and Compulsory Education
Carm Mifsud Bonnici: Employment, Industrial Relations and Workers’ rights

Marthese Portelli -  Environment, Energy and Transport
Ryan Callus: Environment, Lands, MEPA and infrastructure
Charlo Bonnici: Hunting
Toni Bezzina: Agriculture and Fisheries
Mario Galea: Animal Welfare

Roberta Metsola - European and Foreign Affairs
Tonio Fenech: Foreign Affairs, including relations with non-EU countries, with international organisations and Mediterranean policy

Mario de Marco - Coordination of Parliamentary Group
Censu Galea: Deputy Speaker
David Agius: Whip
Frederick Azzopardi: Deputy Whip
Tonio Fenech: Chairman, Public Accounts Committee
David Casa: Head of Maltese Delegation in the EPP Group of the European Parliament