WATCH | Robert Abela's Cabinet sworn in

Prime Minister Robert Abela’s new Cabinet has been sworn in before President Myriam Spiteri Debono on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Abela officially announced his new Cabinet following Labour’s general election win on Sunday.

Key changes saw Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg taking on the health portfolio previously held by Jo Etienne Abela.

Borg’s former foreign affairs brief will pass to Chris Fearne, who was elected on two districts ahead of all other Labour candidates. Fearne had resigned from Cabinet in 2024 after being charged in the Vitals-Steward corruption case alongside several others, including former prime minister Joseph Muscat. He is pleading not guilty and has testified in court that he had been kept in the dark about contractual arrangements made by former minister Konrad Mizzi. The case is ongoing.

Jo Etienne Abela has been assigned the tourism portfolio, previously held by Ian Borg. Byron Camilleri, who had made clear he did not wish to continue in home affairs and national security, takes education and sports.

Home affairs has been passed on to Glenn Bedingfield, who has been promoted to minister and takes on one of the most sensitive portfolios in government.

Clifton Grima has been handed the justice portfolio, while Jonathan Attard — one of Abela’s most trusted ministers — has been handed planning, infrastructure and employment, with a reform of planning laws expected to be a central task.

Chris Bonett has retained the transport portfolio, now renamed sustainable mobility.

Notable promotions include Omar Farrugia, who has been tasked with youth, wellbeing and implementation of the electoral programme, and Keith Azzopardi Tanti, responsible for European funds, social dialogue and consumer protection.

Previous parliamentary secretaries Alison Zerafa Civelli and Malcolm Paul Agius Galea have also been promoted to ministers.

Rosianne Cutajar returned to Cabinet as minister for equality and civil rights, a portfolio elevated back to a full ministry. The Cabinet includes four female ministers.

Clyde Caruana, Silvio Schembri, Miriam Dalli, Michael Falzon and Anton Refalo will continue in their previous portfolios.

The prime minister also appointed two parliamentary secretaries: Alicia Bugeja Said, responsible for animal welfare, and Deo Debattista, responsible for active ageing.