Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/936285
maltatoday SUNDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2018 4 News CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Azzopardi instead accepted the new role of environment spokes- person, a radical change for the former shadow justice minister and once lands minister. He had already retained his frontbench seat under Simon Busuttil's last reshuffle. Now he will have to carve himself a new political role in this challenging portfolio. And it is Delia, a litigation lawyer by profession, who surprisingly takes the justice portfolio when he could have easily delegated it to another MP. It has not been an easy ride for Delia. The party outsider became leader against the wishes of the MPs he is now leading. Months later, with polls (see page 9) show- ing he has not yet left an impact, he is dishing out the demotions and promotions. He has allowed the former dep- uty leaders to retain positions of importance: Mario de Marco keeps finance, while Beppe Fene- ch keeps national security and the fight against crime – otherwise home affairs. Former leadership rival Chris Said naturally got to keep Gozo, his district, and also awarded con- stitutional reform. But Claudio Grech, once touted for a leadership bid, has lost his economy portfolio to instead take up family welfare, social policy and the eloquent portfolio of children's rights and the unborn child's rights. Instead, Delia sup- porter and president of the PN general council Kristy Debono will shadow the economy minister. Delia's deputy leaders get softer portfolios: David Agius will shad- ow water management and energy affairs while hotelier Robert Ar- rigo will feel right at home shad- owing tourism. A strange division of duties has occurred in education. This one is a demotion for former MEP Ther- ese Comodini Cachia, who is now spokesperson for media, culture and 'national identity' (but there is already a citizenship spokes- person). Education is now split between secretary general Clyde Puli, and deputy whip Frederick Azzopardi, who will concentrate specifically on education in Gozo. Delia supporter Hermann Schi- avone was not rewarded with a ma- jor portfolio but instead was tasked with social dialogue, civil society and 'contact with the people'. And despite his troubles with the press on allegedly dishing out sick leave certificates to whoever will pay, doctor Stephen Spiteri is now shadow health minister. Foreign affairs went to Carm Mifsud Bonnici while David Stel- lini will handle EU affairs. Marthese Portelli, the former energy spokesperson, will take on capital projects, planning and the property market, while Toni Bezzina will be shadowing trans- port and infrastructure, both shadowing transport minister Ian Borg, The other portfolios are: Claudette Pace is civil liber- ties spokesperson; Ivan Bartolo is spokesperson on poverty, social exclusion and housing; Mario Galea is spokesperson on mental health and animal rights; Maria Deguara is spokesperson for ac- tive ageing, disability rights, and 'the fight against dependencies and vices'; whip Robert Cutajar will shadow local councils; Ryan Callus shadows youth and sport and 'the fight against obesity'; and Edwin Vassallo returns to familiar ground shadowing small business and rural affairs. Back-to-back meetings were held late Friday evening at the Nationalist Party headquarters, where Delia and secretary-general Clyde Puli were meeting MPs and informing them of their new port- folios. TRUST BAROMETER AND VOTING PREFERENCES SURVEY PAGE 9 expression of interest In October 2017 The Marigold Foundation had the pleasure of leading the Pink October Campaign. The funds raised during this year's successful campaign, will be used for providing a complimentary therapy programme to support medical treatment for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. This programme will run in collaboration with the Breast Care Unit at Mater Dei Hospital and medical professionals from within the same unit will be referring patients to the appropriate service providers. The Foundation is inviting service providers in the following therapy programmes to submit their proposals in offering any of the following services: a. Exercise (gyms/personal trainers) b. Dietary/Weight Management c. Smoking Cessation d. Yoga/Relaxation Classes Proposals should be submitted to The Marigold Foundation, 58 Triq San Żakkarija, Il-Belt Valletta VLT 1130 by not later than 15 February 2018. To apply for any of these roles, please e-mail your CV to grow@carobtree.com.mt Server Assistants/Bussers Dishwashers and Cleaners Food Court Supervisor WE'RE RECRUITING Delia's reshuffle: up or down? Delia's reshuffle: up or down? Kristy Debono A Delia ally, she was elected president of the PN General Council and has now been promoted to shadow economy minister. She previously held the financial services portfolio Jason Azzopardi He openly campaigned against Delia and now the vocal justice spokesperson will be shadowing environment: if he injects the same vigour in this portfolio, he could make a great impact David Agius Deputy leader for parliamentary affairs who is now shadowing Joe Mizzi on water and energy affairs. No longer the major policy plank it was in 2013 Beppe Fenech Adami The former deputy leader for party affairs refused the energy portfolio and was retained with responsibility for national security and the fight against crime. That's home affairs, right? Marthese Portelli Former energy and transport spokesperson, Marthese Portelli retains an important portfolio on capital projects, planning and the property market, shadowing Ian Borg p p Delia's first cut... some pain for Busuttil-era stalwarts Adrian Delia, getting his team in order