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8 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 20 APRIL 2022 JAMES DEBONO Finance Clyde Caruana vs Jermone Caruana Cilia A question of gravitas Seasoned economist and labour market expert Clyde Caruana will face Jerome Caruana Cilia, a new PN district heav- yweight who was already pitted against Clyde Caruana in the run up to the elec- tion as PN finance spokesperson Mario De Marco was side-lined. Although he has experience in financial services as a retail banking and wealth management risk manager, Caruana Cilia still lacks Caruana's gravitas but has the potential to grow in the role. The PN may be trying to pit a media sav- vy politician with a degree of experience in finances to score points against a 'techno- crat' Minister constrained by the realities of government. But Caruana Cilia needs to boost his technocratic credentials in a role where the public expects competence and 'a safe pair of hands'. His appointment on its own does not fill the biggest hole in the PN's front bench i.e., the lack of economists on its parlia- mentary bench. Moreover, Clyde Caruana has also grown in the role, emerging as a better communicator than his aloof prede- cessor Edward Scicluna while managing to combine competence with an unassuming and refreshing frankness. This makes for one of the most interest- ing 'matches' as the country faces one of its greatest challenges; its removal from the FATF grey list apart from the fall out of the Ukriane war. Health Chris Fearne vs Stephen Spiteri Mutual respect No change here as the popular Spiteri will continue shadowing Fearne, in a match characterized by consensus and mutual respect which was very evident during the COVID crisis during which Spiteri was largely supportive of the government's vaccination programme. On the PN's part, Spiteri's reappoint- ment confirms Grech's attempt to keep Delia loyalists on board. Economy Silvio Schembri vs Ivan J Bartolo A businessman for the economy? The PN is once again unable to field an economist to shadow the minister for the economy and instead Grech has opted for a businessman who has direct experience of economic realities but whose approach to economic problems may be conditioned by his role as an operator. This may be problematic on issues where public and private interests do not con- verge but could help in bridging the PN with that part of the business community which is keen on good governance and a level playing field. Grech has also twinned the economy portfolio with 'the creation of new economic sectors' with Bartolo's appointment suggestive of a 'Steve Jobs' vision for the PN. Yet, faced by Bartolo's more methodic approach, Schembri will have to step up a notch especially when confronted by crit- icism that Labour has not attracted any major economic sector as was the phar- maceutical sector in the 1990s and gaming in the noughties. Silvio Schembri is also shadowed by new PN MP Rebekah Cilia on lands. Introduc- ing greater transparency and making the opaque Lands Authority more transpar- ent could be one of the PN's most impor- tant contributions to the legislature. As a bio-medical engineer Cilia has no particu- lar affinity to the topic, but this could be an area where she can excel in scrutinizing the government. One strange absence in the PN shadow cabinet is that of a spokesperson on work- ers conditions and employment which falls under Clyde Caruana's portfolio. On the other hand, Robert Cutajar will be addressing the plight of SMEs and the self-0employed. Energy and Enterprise Miriam Dalli vs Mark Anthony Sammut Sparks on Electrogas? This makes for an interesting pairing as Mark Anthony Sammut, an engineer by profession, will be facing the seasoned for- mer MEP who has grown in stature as a super minister with a reputation for com- petence. And while sparks are expected as the government negotiates a new gas sup- ply agreement with the Electrogas consor- tium, especially in view of Mark Anthony Sammut's association with the justice for Daphne campaign, the energy sector is also characterized by convergence on the need of a second interconnector and investment in offshore renewable energy sources. One major area where the PN still has to formulate its policy is that on the use of 'green' hydrogen as a renewable source especially in view of EU funding for the hydrogen ready gas pipeline. Chinese in- vestment in Enemalta could become an is- sue as fears grow of an alignment between Russia and China amidst tensions over Taiwan. All in all, Sammut represents continuity to his predecessor, Ryan Callus, but may be more combative. Environment Miriam Dalli vs Janice Chetcuti Battle for more green spaces One curious aspect of Grech's shadow cabinet is that like Robert Abela he has kept planning and environment separate. This limits Janice Chetcuti's role to shad- owing the government's popular commit- ment to create more urban green spaces for which government is allocating EUR 700 million in a clear indication that Abela wants to deliver on this front. One risk for government is that in the absence of planning reforms and changes to local plans, this investment may come across as greenwash. But Chetcuti – who as a local councilor in M'Xlokk led a campaign against the construction of the council's offices in a school garden – will not be in a position to question land use policies except for insist- ing ERA be given a stronger role. In the more controversial planning sec- tor it will be new PN MP Stanley Zammit who will be shadowing Stefan Zrinzo Azz- opardi in what comes across as a clash be- tween two unknowns. Climate Change Miriam Dalli vs Eve Borg Bonello The next big issue? While passion and activism are crucial in raising awareness on climate change, dealing with the challenge of de-carboni- sation is a highly technical process and in intimately related to fiscal, industrial and economic policy. As a young newbie full of enthusiasm, law student Eve Borg Bonello may be walking on a minefield and will need to team up with experts to turn her role in to mean- ingful one. One major issue for the PN is whether to press for more ambitious tar- gets which may increase burdens on busi- nesses. By placing this sector in the hands of a political newbie, Grech is either showing great trust in the power of youth or is un- derestimating the importance of such a complicated issue. Transport and Capital Projects Aaron Farrugia vs Adrian Delia Tram, metro or none? In a sign that Grech wants unity, Adrian Delia has been given a highly visible port- folio in an area where the government's position is characterised by uncertainty on whether to go for a metro or not. Yet the PN will also have to decide whether to press on with its 'trackless tram' proposal which was characterised by major contradictions between different party spokespersons on whether roads will have to be widened or not. Delia, a lawyer by profession, will depend on expert advice and backup to address one of the country's biggest challenges. Moreover he will have a worthy adversary in Aaron Farrugia who is expected to show greater sensitivity to environmental issues than his predecessor Ian Borg. How does Bernard Grech's shadow cabinet The Ministers and their shadows Clyde Caruana vs Jerome Caruana Cilia Miriam Dalli vs Eve Borg Bonello