The Prime Minister, Dr Lawrence Gonzi, announced this afternoon that he has appointed three former Parliamentary Secretaries to Ministers. This follwed one-to-one meetings held at the Castille this morning.

Dr Chris Said has been appointed as Minister for Justice and Social Affairs, which was transferred from the Ministry of Dolores Cristina. Dr Said’s responsibility for local councils is being transferred to Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici who is to remain in charge of the Ministry of Justice and will also take over the post of Leader of the House from Deputy Prime Minister, Tonio Borg.

The Government backbencher, Franco Debono had said he would withdraw his support for the government in Parliament if the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs was not split.

Mario de Marco becomes the Minister of Tourism and the Environment and also retains responsibity for Culture.

Jason Azzopardi is being appointed Minister for Lands, Small business and Consumer and Competition Affairs.

They have all been sworn in this afternoon.

The Prime Minister also announced that the Ministerial Honoraria will be stopped with immediate effect.

He said that the decision taken in 2008 with regards to the Ministerial honoraria, was when the economic scenario was different, “but now government has to lead by example with a cost cutting exercise.”

Permalink: Prime Minister appoints 3 new Ministers & stops Honoraria