Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1201983
12 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 19 JANUARY 2020 NEWS ROBERT Abela's call for con- tinuity during the leadership campaign may have got lost in translation somewhere between voting day and his swearing-in. The Prime Minister's first de- cisions, including his Cabinet choices, are more about rupture than continuity – at least in key areas that have been under the spotlight. These are early days, which, as expected, are characterised by enthusiasm and good inten- tions. But Abela's stewardship so far has the look and feel of an administration just after a general election and not one that has been in power for 31 months. Abela's Cabinet does not in- clude Konrad Mizzi and Chris Cardona, controversial char- acters that were at the centre of strong crit- icism. In choosing Clyde Caruana to head his office, the Prime Min- ister opt- ed for a r a d i c a l l y different i n d i - v i d u a l f r o m K e i t h Schembri. The initial d e c i s i o n s indicate that the Prime Min- ister wanted to recapture the middle-of-the-road voters, who supported Labour but were dis- illusioned by the events of the past month. MaltaToday takes a look at some of the decisions the Prime Minister took in his first week at the helm. Ditching the poisonous nomenclature: ap- pointing Clyde Caru- ana Robert Abela's first decision was to ap- point economist Clyde Caruana as head of secre- tariat in the Office of the Prime Minister. Caruana's role has been de- scribed in the media as that of chief-of-staff. But Abela has ditched the nomenclature chief-of-staff, introduced by his predecessor upon taking office in 2013. Whether Caruana should be described as chief-of-staff or head of secretariat is a moot point but it signals the rupture Abela wanted to make with the recent past that saw business- man Keith Schembri occupy the role. Schembri's name has be- come toxic, and with it, the Lost in translation: continuity with a twist KURT SANSONE Let the memorial stay: a first move from Abela Abela has made it clear that decisions will be taken by him and his Cabinet – elected officials – and not by a hidden hand. Within this context, Clyde Caruana's choice is crucial These are early days, but Abela's stewardship, so far, has the look and feel of an administration just after a general election Robert Abela's Cabinet Top row: Clint Camilleri, Roderick Galdes, Ian Borg, Deo Debattista, Silvio Parnis (partly hidden), Clifton Grima, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, Clayton Bartolo, Chris Agius, Rosianne Cutajar, Ale Muscat, and Byron Camilleri First row: Julia Farrugia-Portelli, Michael Falzon, José Herrera, Michael Farrugia, Evarist Bartolo, Edward Zammit Lewis, Chris Fearne, Edward Scicluna, Owen Bonnici, Carmelo Abela, Justyne Caruana, Silvio Schembri, and Aaron Farrugia