Update 2 | Adrian Delia announces new shadow cabinet

It has not been an easy ride for Opposition leader Adrian Delia. The party outsider became leader against the wishes of the MPs he is now leading. Months later, he is dishing out the demotions and promotions.

Back-to-back meetings were held at the Nationalist Party headquarters late Friday evening, continuing throughout the day on Saturday, where Delia met MPs and informed them of their new portfolios. Talks began as early as last Wednesday.

One of the biggest surprises from the reshuffle is Delia’s decision to take on the justice portfolio himself, while former justice spokesperson Jason Azzopardi has been shifted to spokesperson on the environment, maritime affairs and green initiatives.

Former PN leader Simon Busuttil will be the spokesperson on matters pertaining to good governance.

Delia's leadership rival Chris Said has retained the Gozo portfolio, and will also be responsible for constitutional reforms.

Former deputy leader for party affairs Beppe Fenech Adami, who previously shadowed home affairs, has retained the same portfolio, albeit under a different names. He will be handling national security and the fight against criminality.

The other former deputy leader, Mario de Marco, was kept on the finance portfolio.

Claudio Grech, formerly an economy spokesperson who once was touted for a PN leadership bid, will be taking on social solidarity, family, pensions, children’s rights and the rights of the unborn child.

The economy portfolio has gone to Kristy Debono, the newly elected president of the PN general council.

Marthese Portelli will take on the planning, capital projects and rent market portfolio and former Home Affairs minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici will be the PN’s spokesperson on foreign affairs and the promotion of trade.

Clyde Puli and Therese Comodini Cachia have switched portfolios, with Puli taking on the “education, human development and skills for the 21st century” portfolio, and Comodini Cachia now being put in charge of media, culture and national identity.

The education portfolio has been split, with Frederick Azzopardi taking on education and social affairs in Gozo, as well as being deputy whip.

The remaining portfolios have been distributed as follows:

Toni Bezzina – Transport and Infrastructure

David Agius – Energy and water management

Robert Arrigo – Tourism

Karol Aquilina - Reforms in the public service, citizenship and the simplification of administrative processes

Stephen Spiteri  - Health    

David Stellini – European Affairs and Brexit

Robert Cutajar - Local councils and European funds

Ivan Bartolo – Social accommodation, poverty and social exclusion

Maria Deguara – Active aging, disability and the fight against addiction

Mario Galea – Mental health, dementia, community-based care, diabetes and animal rights

Hermann Schiavone – Social Dialogue, Voluntary work, civil society

Edwin Vassallo – Self-employed, SMEs, co-operatives, agriculture and fisheries

Ryan Callus – Youths, sport and the fight against obesity

Claudette Buttigieg – Civil liberties, equality and citizens’ rights. She will also remain deputy speaker

Karl Gouder – Employment and industrial relations