Alex Borg is summoning MPs to assign shadow portfolios

Nationalist Party leader Alex Borg is summoning members of the parliamentary group to assign shadow portfolios.

Several MPs were seen entering PN headquarters on Wednesday morning with sources close to the party confirming that Borg was assigning speaking roles to his MPs.

“Alex Borg is calling in MPs and discussing with them the portfolios but the process is unlikely to conclude today,” the sources said.

One of the first decisions taken after the 30 May general election result was to appoint Ivan Castillo Whip of the PN parliamentary group. Castillo was elected on the 12 District.

Opposition MPs will be tasked by Borg to shadow government ministers and portfolios with the choices giving an indication of the direction Borg will want the parliamentary group to take in this legislature.

Borg came under fire from the Labour Party earlier this week after the latter criticised the party’s lack of a shadow spokesperson on energy as debate centred around Enemalta’s deal with BP for the supply of LNG until May next year.

Among the more successful MPs in the election were Rebekah Borg, Adrian Delia, Stephen Spiteri, Mark Anthony Sammut, Joe Giglio and Conrad Borg Manche, who were elected on two districts. Delia secured the highest number of votes after the leader.

Borg is expected to address parliament at around 4:30pm with his reply to the president’s speech delivered during the opening session last Saturday.

Later on Wednesday, the PN will hold the opening session of its general council that will kick off the leadership contest as obliged by the party statute in the wake of the election.

More to follow.