Malta's Prime Minister Robert Abela (1st R) congratulates the new Foreign Minister Ian Borg (4th R) in the presence of President George Vella (2nd R) during a swear-in ceremony in Valletta, Malta, March 30, 2022. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua)
VALLETTA, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Malta's Prime Minister Robert Abela on Wednesday appointed his 24-member cabinet of ministers and junior ministers, which includes four newly elected parliamentarians.
The new cabinet has "a mix of youth and experience," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement minutes before a long ceremony, during which they took their oath of office in the presence of President George Vella.
According to the statement, the new cabinet is charged with implementing the electoral program, whose main goals are a "more beautiful Malta, equal opportunities and better quality of life."
Chris Fearne remains health minister. The new Foreign Minister is Ian Borg after Evarist Bartolo failed to get elected.
The new Justice Minister is newcomer Jonathan Attard, replacing Edward Zammit Lewis, who also failed to get elected. Another newcomer, Jo-Etienne Abela, will be minister for active aging. Silvio Schembri retained the economy ministry; Clayton Bartolo will continue as tourism minister; Clifton Bartolo will remain education minister; and Clyde Caruana will keep the finance portfolio. The Maltese island of Gozo will remain under the remit of Clint Camilleri. ■
