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YOUR FIRST READ AND FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT Newspaper post maltatoday SUNDAY • 9 MARCH 2014 • ISSUE 748 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY €1.20 Download the MaltaToday App now MICHAEL FALZON INTERVIEWED - PGS 12-13 What would you ask the Prime Minister? Win a year's subscription to our e-paper with your question PRIME Minister Joseph Muscat is planning to announce a Cabinet re- shuffle imminently with a finalised line-up for the 26 March. It was originally planned for 15 March, but it appears that it will be closer to the change of presidency on April 4 when Marie Louise Coleiro Preca hangs up her ministerial shoes, and steps in as George Abela's suc- cessor. The reshuffle comes on the eve of Muscat's next choice for the replace- ment of Tonio Borg as European Commissioner. The first major change is envis- aged in health, which will fall under the prime minister with a newly-ap- pointed parliamentary secretary on health. Godfrey Farrugia, elected for the first time in March 2013, is expected to be given the social policy mega- portfolio, despite having had a lack- lustre performance on health so far. Gozo MP Justyne Caruana is ear- marked to take Franco Mercieca's post as parliamentary secretary re- sponsible for the elderly. Mercieca was said to have pleaded with the Prime Minister to accept his resigna- tion from junior minister, so that he can return to his professional work as an ophthalmic surgeon. Back in March, he was the unprec- edented beneficiary of a "waiver" on the Code of Ethics for ministers, which forbids them from continuing their private profession: Mercieca was allowed to carry out limited work in a state hospital. But Mercie- ca is known to have complained with his aides that he felt "soulless" after having given up his profession. The big decision Muscat faces is with the finance portfolio. Edward Scicluna is said to have left a neu- tral impact, delegating much of what should be a 'hands-on' ministry to civil servants. Still, Muscat may not find it easy to replace the man who has to keep his budget in line with eurozone criteria. His two favourite junior ministers – Owen Bonnici and Edward Zam- mit Lewis – respectively justice and competiveness parliamentary sec- retaries, are up for promotion. None of them are moulded for the finance portfolio, which is traditionally re- served for a person who has a suit- able economic background. But a reshuff le might be an occa- sion to upgrade Bonnici to a minis- try for justice, where he has proved himself in handling criminal justice reform and the citizenship scheme. Despite his apparent unpopular- ity, there appears to be no intention of changing minster for home af- fairs and national security Manuel Mallia, in spite of being severely criticised by the Nationalist oppo- sition. With Coleiro Preca's departure, a casual election could see the re- turn of Enemalta chairman Charles Mangion back to the parliamentary bench. He was formerly a minister for justice and local councils be- tween 1996 and 1998, and later was shadow finance minister. Farrugia to get social policy in reshuffle planned for end-March Labour icon irate at Gensna rebuff HER stunning looks and dazzling voice are synonymous with the great Maltese chanteuses of the last three decades. But Mary Spiteri, adored for interpretation of the unforgettable 'Tema 79' in the socialist rock opera Gensna, has not been asked to participate in a forthcoming edition of the concert. Her inimitable voice was a singular feature at Labour mass meetings and concerts, but her career's zenith was reached with her 1992 Eurovision entry 'Little Child', which remains a Maltese favourite. But although Spi- teri's voice is not open for discussion, the singer has told MaltaToday that she has been informed that the new Gensna concert – staged under instruction by the new Labour government – will not be inviting her to perform 'Tema 79'. "I was told that new and young art- ists would be invited to perform… but later I discovered that all the former singers in Gensna had been included in the line-up, bar me. I just want my fans to know that I was not asked to participate." Gensna was originally manufactured as a tri- umphalist spectacu- lar for Dom Min- toff's republican aspirations. Now it is being organised by the national festivities com- mittee, whose members include former broadcaster Lou Bondì. 365 DAYS OF JOSEPH – PAGES 14, 15, 16, 17 Submit your questions online: http://ow.ly/unoH4 or by post to The Editor, MaltaToday, Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann SGN9016. In December 2013, Joseph Muscat enjoyed a positive rating of 46.6% of respondents who judged his performance – 12 points down from April, when he had just been elected Malta's prime minister. MaltaToday's reputable surveys will publish the next survey on his performance next Sunday, with an interview with Joseph Muscat: with a difference – readers are being asked to send in their questions. The chosen questions will get a free, one- year subscription to MaltaToday's epaper on www.maltatoday.com.mt Muscat's performance as PM in 2013 Apr Jun Jul Oct Dec 59 46.4 42.1 50.6 46.6 ? mt survey Godfrey Farrugia's poor showing as health minister has led the Prime Minister to consider taking health under his wing Mary Spiteri