The Prime Minister has hinted that he will shortly embark on a Cabinet reshuffle.

In an interview with The Sunday Times of Malta, Joseph Muscat said: “I think it is natural that after the first period of government, you should make assessments, see if there is need for certain changes and make those changes.”

He would not single out any ministries but said he felt that progress was not up to expectations in certain areas. “You also learn to understand people better and you learn where a person can contribute more.”

Dr Muscat defended the government’s performance on the cash-for-citizenship saga, arguing that the country ended up with a competitive package.

He suggested that the government had held out on certain concessions as a negotiating strategy, and dismissed the damage that the controversy of the past months could have done to the country’s image and financial sector.

He kept his cards close to his chest on the nomination for the next President but said he began consultations on a “very short” list of names.

His preference would be a woman but he did not rule out that it could be a Cabinet member.

Dr Muscat said Cabinet was currently discussing a draft revision of the ministerial code of ethics, adding that the clause concerning whether serving ministers could carry out private work was under consideration.

Watch excepts of the interview above. Read the whole interview in The Sunday Times of Malta, the e-paper or timesofmalta.com premium here.