Robert Abela says new cabinet shows government has 'turned a new page'

Robert Abela's new cabinet shows government has "turned a new page" he said after he demoted several high profile former ministers, promoted others to bigger portfolios and brought in some new faces.

The prime minister said his new team was a mix of "experience and new talent".

Edward Zammit Lewis and Carmelo Abela, who were the subject of controversy in the past, were among the senior ministers left out of Abela's cabinet unveiled on Wednesday.

And Ian Borg, the 36-year-old former transport and infrastructure minister, has been appointed to the foreign affairs role, which is often reserved for politicians nearing retirement.

Ian Borg is sworn in as foreign minister in a surprise appointment. Photo: Jonathan Borg

But there were promotions for others, including Miriam Dalli, who takes on a super ministry in charge of environment and energy. Several other ministries remain in the same hands. 

Asked whether calls for the resignations of Zammit Lewis and Carmelo Abela had influenced his decision not to include them in his cabinet, the prime minister said he had considered various factors before coming to a final decision.

“When I came to make my decision, I took various factors into...