PN Has Been Without A Shadow Tourism Minister For Three Months Since Robert Arrigo’s Death
The Nationalist Party has been operating without a shadow tourism minister since October 2022.
Its most recent shadow tourism minister remains Robert Arrigo, who worked within the tourism industry for decades but who died on 18th October following a battle with cancer.
Arrigo’s parliamentary seat was filled up ten days after his death, with former St Julian’s mayor Albert Buttigieg winning a casual election on the tenth district.
Former Shadow Tourism Minister Robert Arrigo
However, PN leader Bernard Grech hasn’t showed similar haste, leaving the tourism portfolio vacant and Buttigieg without a portfolio.
While the situation is believed to be close to a resolution, it has frustrated people within the party, with an MP telling Lovin Malta that leaving such a key shadow portfolio vacant for three months displays a complete lack of professionalism from Grech’s part.
Cover photo: The PN’s parliamentary group convenes for its first 2023 meeting, photo published by PN MP Paula Mifsud Bonnici
The issue was also flagged this morning by former PN MP Franco Debono.
“While the Tourism Minister rolls up his jeans, the Opposition would do well to roll up its sleeves and do what must be done. The Opposition has been without a shadow tourism minister for the months… let’s roll up our sleeves because the country needs an Opposition,” he said.
Debono recommended that Grech appoint Mario de Marco – who served as Tourism Minister between 2012 and 2013 – to the shadow tourism role. The PN MP, along with Chris Said and Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, was completely excluded from Grech’s shadow cabinet following the 2022 general election, with the PN leader purging all MPs who formed part of the Cabinet of former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.
Who should be appointed Shadow Tourism Minister?
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