Incoming Social Policy Minister Michael Farrugia yesterday clarified that President designate Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca would only have a consultative role and would not be involved in administrative or policy decisions.

His comments were made in the wake of the Prime Minister’s decision to place a number of entities as well as the National Poverty Strategy under the umbrella of the President’s office. This unprecedented move had raised questions over whether some of the responsibilities of the Social Policy Ministry would overlap with those of the President.

Probed on the matter by the media, Dr Farrugia yesterday described Ms Coleiro Preca’s role as the “social soul overseeing this sector”.

Commenting on Dr Farrugia’s remarks later in the day, the president designate said that more than anything her role would “facilitate”; it would bring together all those involved in issues of national importance.

It will be up to the politicians to argue it out

She said that the head of state should never take an executive role – “it is not its function”. While acknowledging that the promotion of a “social agenda” would be a “new thing” for the presidency, she expressed confidence that it would be successful. “We’ll try to reach an agreement but then it will be up to the politicians to argue it out.”

Meanwhile, when asked about the reshuffle, Dr Farrugia told this newspaper that in politics “overnight developments” were not unusual.

He argued that the Prime Minister had the prerogative to change “even the best performing players of his team”, and so was bound to abide by his decisions. Dr Farrugia said his role in Cabinet would not be totally new for him, having shadowed social policy for nine years.

The parliamentary secretary said that Mr Falzon’s appointment as his successor would not signal any changes in the government’s planning policy. Architect Robert Musumeci, Dr Farrugia’s consultant on planning issues, will remain in post.