And I give you….our 23-member cabinet office (1 prime minister, 14 ministers and 8 parliamentary secretaries)
Let’s begin with the Minister of the Environment, Leo Brincat:
The Prime Minister, Joseph Muscat
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Affairs and Implementation of the Electoral Manifesto, Louis Grech (he who voted No to EU membership)
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Vella, aged 71 (ringed in red)
The Minister of Tourism, Karmenu (Il-Guy) Vella – he’s the one on the left
The Minister of Education, Evarist Bartolo
The Minister of Transport and Public Works
The Minister for Gozo, Anton Refalo
The Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties
The Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Business, Chris Cardona (out of view of the camera)
The Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca
The Minister of the Interior and National Security, Emmanuel Mallia.
The Minister of Finance, Edward Scicluna, broadcasting from the electoral counting-hall for Xandir Malta in the glorious days of Run Rabbit Run
The Minister of Energy and Water Conservation, Konrad Mizzi
The Minister of Health, Godfrey Farrugia, who is also the man for whom Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando’s first wife, Marlene, left him (and who can blame her…)
The Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Simplification of Administrative Processes, Michael Farrugia
The Parliamentary Secretary for the EU Presidency 2017 and EU Funds, Ian Borg (centre back)
The Parliamentary Secretary for Culture and Local Government, Jose Herrera
The Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth & Sport, Stefan Buontempo
The Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights, Roderick Galdes
The Parliamentary Secretary for Competitiveness and Economic Growth, Edward Zammit Lewis
The Parliamentary Secretary for for Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing, Franco Mercieca (on left)
The Parliamentary Secretary for Justice, Owen Bonnici
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Chavtastic!
Fantastilicious.
BREATH-taking…
I bet PL has already lost 15,000 of its majority by learning who got the top positions.
SAME OLD LABOUR! But there is nothing we can do, except pray and hope.
The Minister for Gozo, Anton Refalo (on the right).
Pity. The one on the left would have done a better job.
LOL!
LOLLL, literally laughing out loud!
I can now understand why the same people who used to gloat over “IX-XEWKA” can’t stomach your blog.
Reason: TASTE (or lack of it)
Nice G Major chord by Owen Bonnici.
Is he using the ‘G’ string in (missing) Cardona’s photo, by any chance?
Jeez, Daphne, you just scared the shit out of at least half the nation.
Whatever our personal opinions and whether we voted for it or not (I personally did not), we now have to remember that this a democratically elected government, appointed to office with an impressive mandate (in Maltese electoral terms). We need to respect this and we need to allow the Prime Minister and his cabinet to get to work before we start criticising. Otherwise our comments will be baseless and sound hollow.
This was obviously not the attitude adopted by Labour in 2008 after the swearing-in of the then P.N. government, but I believe we should rise above such puerile argumentation; in doing so, we will also be enhancing the renewal process which will allow the P.N. to again become appealing to the electorate.
On another point in my humble opinion the P.N. leadership must once again be made up of people who talk the language of workers or rather the ones who through their work mainly make the economic wheel go round. The famous “Qalbna mal-haddiema” speech by Dr. Eddie Fench Adami comes to my mind at such a point in time.
I feel that though the party whilst in government, did much to improve our lives in all aspects, in recent years it acquired an elitist aura. This might possibly have been more of a perception than the truth, but it ultimately lead to the distancing of that segment of society which had made the party electable from 1981 till last Saturday. The signs were already there in 2008 when the party did not manage to garner an absolute majority, but they were regretfully neglected. In my opinion the blame for this lies mainly on the shoulder of the party administration, as opposed to Dr. Gonzi, whose main focus was managing the country in exceptionally difficult circumstances.
The government needs to manage the country effectively, but the party needs to keep close to its electorate and always maintain an ear on the ground. Ultimately it is the party and its candidates which are voted or otherwise into power. This is my personal opinion, and please feel free to criticize same as you deem fit.
Whilst apologizing for writing quite a ‘sermon’, I would like to thank you for your work and for this blog. It is one of the few remaining places where one can access well read and well informed opinions in this country.
AZ, a fair and well thought out comment. However, as an international economist who earned his keep on forecasting the future for over thirty years, this newly incumbent troop of tramps will surely put our present well being into the dumper within two.
Poor Joseph looked pale and tired during the swearing-in ceremony.
And Jose Herrera didn’t want to shake his hand.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130313/local/herrera-does-not-shake-pm-s-hand.461327
Manuel Mallia, minister, Chris Cardona, minister, Jose’ Herrera, parliamentary secretary.
Ohtu ta’ xejn ghamlitilhom dawk il-parties kollha.
Le ta, Consuelo irnexxielha taghmlu l-espert tal-bankini u tat-trinek.
Tal-misthija. Kieku kont Herrera w Michael Farrugia kont nisthi b’demotion bhal din. Ejja Joseph tihom xi haga ohra ghax waqqajtilhim wicchom l-art.
Bilhaqq l-ispiza tal gvern ghal ministeri w segretarji ser tirdoppja. Hdax il-binja ohra ghal ministeri w segretarji, staff w segretarjat addizzjonali, xoghol amministrattiv u karozzi.
By salaries estimates alone a ministry costs an average of 4m euros annually according to 2013 budgets figures. That would already add up to a staggering 32m additional annual costs to do what the Nationalists did with half the numbers.
My God. This already calls for a political enquiry.
I like Michael Farrugia’s job; simplification of administrative processes. Konrad’s conservation of water sounds like a fine ministry too.
I admire Joseph for being so creative with his ministries. I don’t think there have ever been such a ministry names; anywhere in the world.
Let’s hope that simplification of processes won’t prove too much for Michael Farrugia’s simple mind.
Konrad’s next presentation, ‘Have a bath with a friend’
You don’t need to have a bath with a friend. Speak to Konrad in person and he will give you a free shower.
He has to simplify everything, they’d get confused otherwise.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130313/local/herrera-does-not-shake-pm-s-hand.461327
Cracks starting to show?
So the next Bundy programme next Friday on One TV is going about the electoral defeat – the guest speakers – JPO, Mugliett, Frankie Tabone and Musemeci. All the merry men. JPO and Frankie in particular are going to have a hard time fighting each other for the spotlight.
[Daphne – They’re finding it hard to make the transition, I see. The government is now the Opposition, and they’re the government, but they still need to talk about the PN because they can’t break the addictive habit.]
The PN should issue an immediate disclaimer that any divisive opinion passed by this lot does not reflect that of the party.
The PN should also make it very clear that the party cannot understand how a programme intends to discuss the PN when no formal invitation to the party itself was issued.
Discussing the PN now necessarily requires the presence of those who assume full responsibility. Anything else is tasteless.
Do I have to do this?
Well they were a big part of the problem, so they’d be experts on the subject if they were honest.
Mugliett: “The PN lost the election because I don’t wear the pants in the house and I had to do whatever Karen said, or no sex for a year.”
Ara dear Daphne………!! mela u r still here in Malta? mela u r not leaving the island? Mela you still want to live here under this goverment? I tought that we will not see that greenee, ugly and big nosed face anymore……..your a fkn witch and I hope that all the hate you have for us labour supporters will come over on you from someone of your own family….. FUCK YOU BITCH…….
Why was the economy and investment ministry given to a lawyer? I don’t know about Chris Cardona but what is his experience in this field?
[Daphne – The bulk of his experience is in lap- and pole-dancing clubs, to which he is addicted. He had better break the habit now that he’s got a ministerial portfolio.]
So Joseph is starting to fulfil his promise of meritocracy. This is one of the most important ministries, if not the most important. Will the 2014 budget include policies and incentives for strip clubs?
What I find humiliating is that Dr. Mercieca a professional eye surgeon from Gozo accepted a Parliamentary Secretary post and reports to Marie Louise Coleiro.
Probably couldn’t see straight.
Kelma wahda tigi f’mohhi: X”Misthija! Cannot believe that these people represent our country.
The word misthija should be stated when a party is brought down from government with a record !! A state record that no political party ever has lost with such a huge number…over 36,000!!! Sorry guys…guess you’re outnumbered!!
[Daphne – Very illogical reasoning, Lyann. Did having huge movements behind them make Mao and Hitler right? Or Berlusconi and Beppe Grillo?]
Dawn kollha se jifqawlek blog bl-istejjer. Min jaf x’inhu ġej.
Tajba
Karmenu Vella’s first priority as Tourismus Ministaurus is a scheme to attract yachts loaded with goodies which need not be declared, berthing at Ghadira. Bye the way, why has no one congratulated Herr Flick Brincaurus TV Raptor miskin?
Gozo ministry was definitely an afterthought and added on to the number of ministries originally announced.. There was no mention of it at all before the full cabinet was announced.
There must have been a lot of pressure on this one.
I would not make mention of pressure when Gozo affairs are discussed – it was simply a ‘lapsus mentis’ – il-ginger forgot to include the place.
Even Homer sometimes nods!
‘The Parliamentary Secretary for for Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing, Franco Mercieca’. Excuse my ignorance but what exactly is ‘active’ ageing (and why does it need looking after by a government)?
I would define ‘active ageing’ by ‘the ability to keep on doing it ever so often even if you are quite near your hundredth’.
Have a good look at Mercieca’s photo again.
I love ChrisTIAN (ghax hekk irida, ta’ Christian) Cardona’s pic.
Keep it up, Daphne ….you rock.
“So you thought you might like
to go to the show
to feel the warm thrill of confusion
that space cadet glow…
Tell me, is something eluding you somewhere?
Is this not what you expected to see?
And if you’d like to find out
what’s behind those cold eyes
you’ll just have to claw your way
through the DISGUISE.”
Given that the Pink Floyd generation made up part of this movement, I thought they might appreciate this.
kemm int BLA SENS daphne. daqshekk andi xi nghid ikumparat mal bs kollu li ktibt int
They’ve blown me away like this force 8 wind…so progressive!
Does anyone recall this statement by Joseph on 02 Feb:
“…it was a mistake to merge agriculture and fisheries into a massive ministry because this reduced the political focus…”
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130203/local/Muscat-pledges-dedicated-ministry-for-fish-industry.455946
5 years you all have to just what ahahahahahaha 36000
Without looking at colours, about Chris Cardona, I don’t think it’s fair linking him with this stuff since he has kids and family.
[Daphne – Tim, in a democratic society, the duty of the press is to scrutinise politicians, not to leave them free to do as they please so as not to upset their family. We ALL have families. If Chris Cardona, a minister of state, does not wish the press to discuss his obsession with going to lapdancing and pole-dancing clubs, then he shouldn’t have been doing that, fullstop. Families and children are not there as a firewall of protection behind which politicians can do as they please without fear of press reports. My goodness, how much growing up we still have to do.]
We should judge people by their work.
[Daphne – No, Tim, we should also judge them by their character, personality and predilections. I think the last term of government, with some of its major protagonists, should have taught us all that.]
Having said that I was surprised to see him in charge of that sector. In my opinion most of the ministers appointed are either too old or bad positioned…totally NOT ACES IN THEIR PLACES.
Maybe the ministries were distributed as a thank you? For getting loads of votes for the party? It is a shame to see Carmelo Abela without a high position in the government.
[Daphne – Come on, Tim, of course the distribution of cabinet portfolios has been made on a reward/pacifying basis. What do you think it was – merit?]
And to think that people voted for a time bomb next to their doorsteps.
And now Joseph’s skip is full.
What was Mr Kasco doing standing by the Chief Justice at the swearing-in? All the others standing at the table were figures who are constitutionally relevant: President, Prime Minister, AG, Chief Justice.
Do parliamentary secretaries get the right to jump the queue at the Gozo ferry. If so Franco Mercieca will no longer need to use the lame excuse that patients are waiting for him.
Daph ,
i am not , in any way , a fan of most of you’re columns and thoughts ( except for the occasional valid point here and there).
In respect to this article , it think any judgment should be made after the five years are up and not before hand .
These men and women are more than capable of doing their job and working hard for the best of our country , irrelevant of their personal lives ( wich only a few are under-par to their highly ranked positions ) I believe that they put their jobs first and foremost .
[Daphne – You have absolutely no idea of democracy. A government should be scrutinised and held to account every step of the way, and not when the five years are up, at the polls. We have so much learning to do here in Malta. Also, scrutinise your own thoughts: did you want until 2013 before judging the last government, or were you one of those sniping every five minutes?]
yes , they should be held to account , but judged on their work not who they are before they even start ! i made my decision over the last five years after they started doing their job and not regarding who any of the ministers and segretaries were and their personal ‘ hobbies’ or lifestyles . everyone knows you’re out to get Labour ( and its a free country so do what you will ) and you still might attack , even if they are doing their jobs well .. so you might as well give it a rest for now and wait till you have something useful to write about !
[Daphne – Your parents have a lot to answer for. They failed to give you a proper education.]
what do my parents have to do with what i say ?? .. and they never failed me in anything ! On the other-hand , I can really imagine how proud of you you’re parents must be !!
[Daphne – Yes, they are, even though they’re now the same age as our progressive, young and liberal new/old foreign minister. I think the way I do because of the way I was raised. I have three sisters who are all just the same. These things are learned in the home from babyhood, absorbed or taught directly. That you cannot understand basic principles of democracy beyond the five-year ballot would most definitely be your parents’ fault, especially if, as I suspect you did, you grew up in a Labour household. There are, though, non-Labour households which were just as deleterious to the rational powers of those raised in them. I have in mind all those which banned any talk of politics and did so with pride as though it was somehow a virtue. The result of that is the catastrophe we are seeing now.]