Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/937440
maltatoday WEDNESDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2018 News 5 shadows Stephen Spiteri, a Delia loyalist and popular family doctor who got elected by 4671 votes on the second dis- trict has retained his role as Chris Fearne's counterpart. But despite his ability to reach out to constituents he still has to prove his gravitas on national policy issues. His interlocutor Chris Fearne, one of the govern- ment's most popular elements. is currently under fire over a failed major health investment by Vitals negoti- ated by his predecessor Konrad Mizzi. Instead of reap- ing this advantage, Spiteri found himself investigated by the Medical Council following allegations – which he denied – that he sold medical certificates without see- ing patients. Mario Galea, who in the past spoke openly about his problem with depression, will retain his men- tal health portfolio thus underlining the importance given by the Opposition this crucial issue. While de Marco has gravitas and is a better commu- nicator than Edward Scicluna, the latter retains a tech- nocratic edge. De Marco presently occupies a similar interim position to that assumed by Charles Mangion when Muscat was the PL's opposition leader. The PN has so far failed in recruiting a technocratic figure of the same pedigree as Scicluna to flank de Marco. PN constituency strongman Robert Arrigo who now also occupies the role of deputy leader, has retained the tourism portfolio shadowing Konrad Mizzi, a minister whose permanence in cabinet is now openly questioned on a European level. Arrigo may occupy a crucial role in his party in bridging with hoteliers and the business community but still has to prove his credentials as a policy maker on a national level. His big test will be shadowing Konrad Mizzi on the future of Airmalta. Jason Azzopardi whose sole major contribution to the environment was piloting the Public Domain Act, finds himself shadowing the affable Jose Herrera after having his justice portfolio snatched by Delia himself. Yet this gives Azzopardi the opportunity to retain his visibility on an issue which is rising in surveys on public concerns. But Azzopardi's brief does not include plan- ning and is limited to shadowing the toothless Environ- ment and Resources Authority. He may also find himself in a difficult position when articulating his party's position on contentious issues like hunting, trapping, high-rise development and ODZ petrol stations where the party is often caught chasing with the hounds while running with the hares. Ian Borg will be confronted by Tony Bezzina on transport and infrastructure and by Marthese Por- telli on capital projects and planning. With trans- port high on the list of popular concerns, it is unclear whether the abrasive Bezzina is the best opposition member to take on Borg but he may use the portfolio to represent the grievances of constituents. Portelli who replaces Ryan Callus in the planning portfolio, may also find herself in a difficult position, in rec- onciling the expectations of civil society and those of big business on issues like high rise developments. Two former Home Affairs ministers have ended up facing each other on one of the least divisive issues in Maltese politics even if Malta's geopolitical alignments, often tied to energy deals, may deserve more scrutiny. Karol Aquilina finds himself demoted from the more appealing environment portfolio to shadowing Julia Farrugia Portelli, the popular junior minister respon- sible for citizenship and administrative processes. Aquilina's demotion comes in the wake of a tweet in which he declared his opposition to high-rise develop- ment following the PA's approval of the Mercury House project. Yet Aquilina's role is not to be underestimated. Aquilina's appointment suggests that the party will not bend in its opposition to the IIP programme. Other Opposition spokespersons who will be shad- owing parliamentary secretaries include Delia loyalist Hermann Schiavone who will be pitted against up- comingAaron Farrugia on social dialogue and Maria Deguara who will be shadowing Anthony Agius Dece- lis on active ageing and disability. Apart from his men- tal health portfolio, Mario Galea will be shadowing Clint Camilleri on animal rights. Camilleri will also be shadowed on agriculture and fisheries by Edwin Vas- sallo. Ryan Callus has also seen his portfolio changed from planning to that of shadowing Clifton Grima on youths, sports and the fight against obesity. Claudio Grech, formerly an economy spokesperson once touted for a PN leadership bid, will be taking on Michael Falzon as the party's new social policy spokes- person. Grech's appointment creates problems for La- bour in an area where the vacuum left by Marie Louise Coleiro Preca was never adequately filled and where Grech can clearly outshine Falzon. The addition of "the rights of the unborn child' underlines Grech's conserv- atism on an issue where he is in synch with the majority. Grech social policy portfolio also fits well with his constituency interest in the first district where his Save a Life Foundation has the mission of helping under- privileged communities. Ivan Bartolo, the party's spokesperson on social ac- commodation, poverty and social exclusion, will flank Grech. This may compensate for Grech more business- like approach to social policy. It remains to be seen whether under Grech, the party will move from the welfare state model to a 'big society' one in which the private sector has a bigger role in providing services. Minister Helena Dalli finds herself shadowed by Claudette Buttigieg who has assumed the equality and civil liberties portfolio and by David Stellini who has assumed the European affairs portfolio. Buttigieg's LGBTI-friendly image may reassure liberal voters that there is no turning back on rights gained under Dalli's tutelage. While Dalli retains an edge when it comes to stature and intellect, Buttigieg may strike a popular chord and is less aloof. On the other hand David Stel- lini, who is technically prepared for the role, may give the PN an edge in European affairs. The addition of Brexit to his portfolio was a smart move. Deputy Leader and Delia loyalist David Agius will be shadowing veteran Labour stalwart Joe Mizzi. Neither Agius nor Mizzi are particularly prolific in their depth on energy and water issues but Agius may come across as less abrasive than Mizzi. It is unclear why Delia has decided to give his deputy leader such an important but bland portfolio. The major decisions impacting the energy sector including the partial privatisation of the sector and the conversion to LNG have already been taken un- der Konrad Mizzi. But the Opposition will now be ex- pected to decide whether to renew Simon Busuttil's commitment to renege on the agreement with Elec- trogas and buy energy from the best bidder. David Agius who recently caused a stir in the party by attending the inauguration of the Valletta local council in place of the Café Premier, may be sitting on another minefield. Portelli / Bezzina Stephen Spiteri Mario de Marco Karol Aquilina Carm Mifsud Bonnici Claudio Grech Buttigieg / Stellini Jason Azzopardi David Agius Robert Arrigo Ian Borg Chris Fearne Edward Scicluna Julia Farrugia POrtelli Carmelo Abela Michael Falzon Helena Dalli Jose Herrera Joe Mizzi Konrad Mizzi VS VS VS VS VS VS VS VS VS VS