Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/937440
maltatoday WEDNESDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2018 News 4 Delia's choice of a new shadow cabinet exposes the Opposition's restricted talent pool after a general election which failed to secure new blood for a party in need of a generational change. Yet as certain cabinet members start showing signs of fatigue, some of Delia's choices might actually work. JAMES DEBONO examines how the Delia shadow cabinet fares in comparison to Muscat's cabinet Ministers and their shadows PN general secretary Clyde Puli will be shadowing vet- eran Labour Minister Evarist Bartolo. In this way one of the most politically charged PN exponents will be facing one of the least divisive Labour Ministers. While Bar- tolo's star has waned ever since allegations on his former canvasser Edward Caruana surfaced, he is still piloting reforms opening new pathways for students who have till now been left behind. But with Puli replacing Ther- ese Commodini Cachia, Bartolo may now find himself under increased scrutiny on contentious issues like the university reform and the license granted to the AUM. One innovation in the shadow cabinet is Karl Gouder shadowing Bartolo on employment. This represents an element of innovation in the PN's shadow cabinet in an area where the government is delivering when it comes to numbers, but where precariousness and the influx of foreign labour represent new challenges. Delia's leadership rival Chris Said has retained the Gozo portfolio, albeit sharing this responsibility with Delia loyalist Frederick Azzopardi who is responsible for education and social affairs in Gozo. Both will be shadowing Justyne Caruana, the soft-spoken Minis- ter who has taken the mantle from the more abrasive district strongman Anton Refalo. Said will also be shadowing junior minister Julia Farrugia Portelli on constitutional reform. This provides Said with the op- portunity to leave an impact on the national level. Kristy Debono, the newly elected president of the PN general council, will be facing Economy Minis- ter Chris Cardona. While Cardona remains one of the cabinet's most divisive and macho figures, his portfolio is linked to the government's economic success. Although Debono has a good grounding of economic issues, she will be expected to step up her act to convince the electorate that the Oppo- sition can deliver on both prosperity and sustain- ability. The Home Affairs portfolio gives Fenech Adami visibility in an area where he enjoys an edge over Michael Farrugia when it comes to communication and stature. Interestingly the portfolio brief refers to the "fight against criminality" which underlines the rise of criminality in surveys on popular concerns. PN leader Adrian Delia will be taking on Justice Minister Owen Bonnici. This will see the leader of the Opposition confronting a sitting minister and not only the Prime Minister. This decision comes in the wake of a clash be- tween Delia and Bonnici after the latter gave MEPs the impression that the Opposition was backing government on the rule law. Bonnici will also be shadowed by Therese Comodini Cachia on cul- ture and by Robert Cremona on local councils. Cremona's experience in the field as a former mayor puts him at an advantage in confronting par- liamentary secretary Silvio Parnis. Simon Busuttil's good governance portfolio is so extensive that it risks cementing his role as a parallel source of authority in the party even if this appointment may be seen as a sop to internal dissent in the wake of the perceived demotion of Jason Azzopardi and Karol Aquilina. Still Busuttil now finds himself shadowing the whole government on the all-encompassing issue of good governance. He will also be shadowing government on the issue where it is failing most. It surely offers Busuttil the opportunity to con- tinue what he started before the general election, especially in view of pending inquiries on Min- ister Konrad Mizzi and OPM chief-of-staff Keith Schembri. But it also offers Delia the opportunity to focus on other issues while leaving the corruption is- sue, which has slipped in the list of popular con- cerns, in Busuttil's hands while keeping him in his team. This decision surely represented a u-turn for Delia who some months ago declared that Simon Busuttil should have followed Gonzi's lead and resigned from parliament. Clyde Puli / Karl Gouder Chris Said Kristy Debono Beppe Fenech Adami Adrian Delia Simon Busuttil Evarist Bartolo Justyne Caruana Chris Cardona Michael Farrugia Owen Bonnici All the Government VS VS VS VS VS VS