A decision to send a general election candidate rather than an MP as the Opposition’s education representative for a public debate has raised eyebrows in Nationalist Party circles, Times of Malta has learnt.
The issue cropped up two days ago on social media when general election candidate Justin Schembri was listed as Opposition spokesman for education by the organisers of a peace symposium.
The event is being organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta, which promotes interfaith dialogue. Education Minister Evarist Bartolo will appear on the panel of speakers.
Mr Schembri’s designation took many by surprise, as he is not even part of the parliamentary group. It was only last month that PN general secretary Clyde Puli was appointed education spokesman as part of a shadow cabinet reshuffle by party leader Adrian Delia.
Appointment of Schembri was well-deserved
Moreover, a Facebook post uploaded by PN MP Therese Comodini Cachia fuelled even more confusion, as she congratulated Mr Schembri on his new position, saying that his appointment was well-deserved.
A screen grab of the symposium poster, which is what sparked the debate, was also uploaded by the MP.
PN sources told Times of Malta Dr Comodini Cachia's comments had been interpreted in some quarters as tongue-in-cheek, since she was recently stripped of the education portfolio. Instead she is now shadowing media, culture and national identity.
They also questioned the decision to send somebody outside the parliamentary group to ‘confront’ a member of Cabinet during a public debate.
Asked for a clarification, the PN general secretary played down the incident saying it was a “mistake” in the nomenclature by the organisers. He noted that he had been invited on behalf of the Opposition but turned down the offer due to other commitments.
Consequently, a decision was taken to send Mr Schembri. However, no reason was given why the replacement was not found from among the parliamentary group.
Mr Puli made clear that no changes had been made to the Shadow Cabinet.
Meanwhile, the organisers made amends for the situation as Mr Schembri’s designation was later changed to PN representative for education.