Simon Busuttil has strengthened his hand within the Nationalist Party after reshuffling his shadow Cabinet and demoting key figures from the front bench, according to observers.
Former Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Michael Briguglio said the changes showed Simon Busuttil has listened to criticism and he meant business. The most strategically significant change was the removal of former ministers from key roles, according to Dr Briguglio. For the past 19 months under Dr Busuttil’s leadership the PN has had to face constant counter-criticism linked to the performance of former ministers whenever they criticised the government’s performance.
“Even if they had good arguments, the former ministers were constantly shackled by their legacy,” Dr Briguglio said.
Columnist Michael Falzon, a former PN minister agreed, saying the reshuffle confirmed what appeared to be a more assertive trait in the PN leader.
“Rightly or wrongly, popular perception connected some of the lead PN spokesmen with the previous administration that was heavily defeated at the polls. This was hurting the PN’s poll ratings and Simon reacted to this.” Mr Falzon said the longer term message was that a future PN government under Dr Busuttil would not be a carbon-copy of the Gonzi administration.
Historian Joe Pirotta believed it may be too early to speak of electoral chances but the reshuffle would probably allow the PN to present a strong challenge.
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