Newly-formed Cabinet holds its first meeting

The newly-formed Cabinet convened this morning for a meeting at Auberge de Castille, presided by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

Labour’s second-term Cabinet met for the first time since the 15 ministers and 10 parliamentary secretaries took their oath of office on Friday.

The 24-strong Cabinet includes two more parliamentary secretaries than the previous one, whilst the number of ministers remained the same.

Three of the Cabinet members are women – equal to the number of PL female candidates elected to parliament so far.

Muscat has described his choice of Cabinet as based on the competence of the MPs in question, their personal result in the general election, as well as parliamentary experience and the need for even representation of all Malta’s citizens.

The Cabinet also includes former deputy prime minister Louis Grech, who will serve as adviser to the Cabinet, and backbencher Robert Abela whom Muscat appointed as his legal adviser.