Former 'ministers of labour'

Relinquishing power and a decision-making position is never easy, and although the six ministers who were not reappointed are finding the transition hard, they are putting on a brave face.

After years of being in the public eye, a couple were reluctant to reply to a few light-hearted questions on what they were doing now, even though they all remain MPs. They wondered what the interest was about, and preferred to deflect the attention.

Former Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett, an architect by profession, was curt and to the point, not wanting to divulge much, maybe after the last turbulent year in office.

"The transition has not been easy, for a number of different reasons. However, I am cherishing the ability to give proper time to whatever I am doing, be it work or leisure with my family and also investing in my professional development, while getting back into my profession," he said.

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo was also initially unwilling to be featured in a light vein, but then conceded - remarking tongue-in-cheek that the one thing he's happy to do away with are "nosy journalists".

Dr Frendo, a lawyer, has gone from jet-setting to doing consultancy work, though he admits the transition has not been easy and he finds working less "very stressful".

He has not taken on a new hobby, but he has tried to catch up on watching the Olympics.

Media friendly while in office, Dr Frendo said attention was of no interest to him and he was more interested in achieving results which were useful for the country.

So what are the ministerial perks he misses?

"The driver, when I cannot find a parking space," he says.

Francis Zammit Dimech, former Environment and Culture Minister, has also gone into consultancy after dedicating 16 years of his life to different public roles.

He admits the transition had its difficult moments, but he was determined to be positive. He went back to his law books, ordered some new ones and set about setting up a professional practice from scratch... his accumulated experience and contacts over the years helped.

Renowned among friends as a workaholic, Dr Zammit Dimech is still putting in the hours and working within tighter timeframes, though his new life is less stressful.

In between meetings, he remains in contact with constituents, trying to make more time for swimming and the gym. He has also managed to squeeze in a couple of tutorials on video editing; a hobby he has been trying to develop for some time.

He does miss being a loyal member of one team, though he is happy to do away with being blamed for anything that went wrong, even when the "blame belonged elsewhere".

Letting go of his ministerial car and driver was hard, but Dr Zammit Dimech has reorganised his working life in a way that allowed him to buy his car and still have a driver, "at my own expense".

"That's life, but overall, there are more (not less) opportunities on this side of the fence. However, I would never hesitate to go back to public responsibilities since that remains the passion of my life," he said.

Former Health Minister Louis Deguara is the only one who has found the transition from minister to his previous profession smooth, because as a doctor he has always missed his patients.

"I am back to my practice and enjoying it more than ever," he said, adding that being a minister had helped him to better understand human beings.

He is relishing the chance to be able to organise his day as a result of fixed clinic hours.

"I spend more time with my family, enjoy regular eating hours and have more time to look at what is happening around me from a calmer perspective," he adds. Being one to loathe attention, he does not miss the limelight. Though like his colleagues, he misses having a driver when he is desperately trying to find a parking place at wedding receptions.

Shy and reserved by nature, former Competitiveness Minister Ċensu Galea is another who shunned the limelight, but questions whether this was a wise move in this day and age.

A qualified architect, Mr Galea is trying to get back into the profession, which he put on hold in 1992 when he was first appointed parliamentary secretary.

The fact that he was once responsible for the transport portfolio, a job that entailed making contractors pay for their bad work, did not really pave the way for many friends in the industry.

"I do not really believe my years as minister has actually helped in this sense," he said.

As he goes about trying to establish himself, Mr Galea is still waking up early and sleeping late, and although he has not embarked on any new hobbies he has applied for a Masters in Maltese Studies at the University of Malta.

"Perhaps this will help me fill up some of my time," he said, adding that he was working hard to ensure he did his duty towards his constituents.

Does he miss any perks?

"I never thought of my ministerial posts in terms of perks," he said.

Former Resources Minister Ninu Zammit, also an architect by profession, is trying hard to settle down after so many years in office - he has held the posts of parliamentary secretary and minister since 1987.

"This phase of my life had its ups and downs, but overall it's been a largely positive experience," he said.

Leading a less stressful life has meant that he has been able to dedicate more time to gardening, swimming and gradually initiating some works in line with his profession.

Asked if he missed any of the perks, Mr Zammit pointed out that being a minister meant giving up a lot and passing the family through unnecessary hardships.

"All these factors heavily outweigh the imaginary ministerial perks that some people dream so much about!", he mused.