Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1201983
15 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 19 JANUARY 2020 NEWS really and truly it is a promo- tion, given the ministry's mas- sive budget, its importance and visibility. There is no doubt that Bonn- ici's transfer out of the justice ministry was Abela's signal that he wants things to change in that sector. Bonnici has been on the receiving end for too long as justice minister and a change was necessary to break that cy- cle of negativity. But the mixed feelings sur- rounding his new appointment as education minister are the result of people asking whether he is suitable for the role, es- pecially when compared to the man he has replaced – Evarist Bartolo – whose name has been synonymous with education for the good part of three decades. Bonnici can learn and the ad- ministrative set-up in the min- istry is well-primed to give him the necessary backup. But he will have to learn fast in a sec- tor where strong unions hold a lot of sway and change is driven by social demands as much as ideology. Bonnici's calm demeanour may help him navigate these waters but he will have to stamp his foot when overzeal- ous technocrats plough ahead with little consideration to tan- gible classroom concerns. The journey will not be easy and Bonnici does not have the luxury of time on his side. How fast he can grasp the sector could make all the difference between a successful transition and failure. Exporting good governance: the decent emissary Evarist Bartolo has been tasked with the role of foreign and European affairs minis- ter with the task of communi- cating Malta's willingness to strengthen good governance. Bartolo had been an open critic of Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri when it was revealed that they held compa- nies in Panama back in 2016. He remained a critical voice even recently with his daily po- etic epistles on Facebook. This makes him the ideal in- terlocutor abroad when dealing with critical voices, who could possibly see in him an honest broker and a decent emissary. But in Bartolo's own words, fixing Malta's reputation abroad will not only depend on him but on the actions his gov- ernment will be taking at home to fix the deficiencies. The ini- tial decisions suggest that Ab- ela's administration is serious about addressing the problems. Bartolo can only hope that the Prime Minister's resolve stays the course – in the twilight of his political career it will make his job much easier. Steady as she goes: the conti- nuity ministers Edward Scicluna's meet- ing with Abela on the evening when the Prime Minister was forming his Cabinet only last- ed 10 minutes. It was evident that Abela would keep Scicluna in the same driving seat at the finance ministry, where he has delivered a financial and eco- nomic miracle. Scicluna's retention is the sur- est sign of the continuity Abela preached about during the lead- ership campaign. It also sets minds at rest that the direction of recent years in the adminis- tration of public finances will be maintained – Abela would not want the surplus to turn in- to a deficit. Another continuity candidate is Michael Falzon who was re- tained as social policy minister. The decision signals continuity in a ministry that has efficiently implemented the government's social measures, while working to reduce benefit fraud. Continuity was also important in the health sector where Chris Fearne has had a successful per- formance. The choice may have been logical but it was also con- ditioned by Fearne's behaviour in the aftermath of the lead- ership loss that saw him stay away from Abela's swearing-in ceremony. Fearne's initial re- luctance to form part of Cab- inet appears to have softened and he can now continue where he left off. The health sector faces evolving challenges, big- ger expenditures and needs a decision-maker who can act judiciously. Fearne fits that bill perfectly although it will also depend on whether he loses his enthusiasm to perform. In Gozo, Abela may have been forced to maintain continuity as a result of Justyne Caruana's tenacity to hold on to the port- folio. Caruana refused to budge and take up a different minis- terial job, leaving Abela with no choice but to re-appoint her Gozo minister. Caruana has earned widespread respect in Gozo and under her wings, surveys have shown that the PL continued to gain valuable ground. Abela can only hope that this will continue to be the case. The other continuity candi- date is Ian Borg, who retains his transport and infrastruc- ture portfolio, albeit without the Planning Authority. By re- taining him in the same role, Abela has underscored the importance of development in a country that has seen its in- frastructure creak under the weight of a bigger population. The massive road projects be- ing undertaken have proved popular and for many are a welcome relief. Borg may be the bête noir of the environmental lobby but with a massive annual budget to get the road infrastructure up to scratch, there is no doubt that he has managed to deliv- er. And with Borg's leadership ambitions put on hold, this is one person Abela will want on his side. ksansone@mediatoday.com.mt It's not all bad, right? Owen Bonnici (left) gets education, Chris Agius stays in place under transport minister Ian Borg, Carmelo Abela moves from foreign to a less onerous portfolio, Rosianne Cutajar elevated to equality and reforms secretary, Justyne Caruana retains Gozo, and Alex Muscat gets the citizenship brief 'I'm packing my bags...' Evarist Bartolo (right) gets the foreign affairs portfolio and gets ready to jet-set around the European capitals and beyond, while former home affairs minister Michael Farrugia gets a lowly portfolio of sorts: energy and water management Still get to make my roads: Transport Minister Ian Borg (top) with newly- promoted minister for agriculture Clint Camilleri Bartolo is the ideal interlocutor abroad when dealing with critical voices, who could possibly see in him an honest broker and a decent emissary Owen Bonnici's calm demeanour may help him navigate these waters but he will have to stamp his foot when overzealous technocrats plough ahead with little consideration to tangible classroom concerns