Last night we reported that Minister of State Marconi Leal Jr. would be temporary Minister of Foreign Trade while senior Minister Francis Fonseca is recovering from open-heart surgery.
Today we asked Dr. Osmond Martinez - who was the former Minister of State for Foreign Trade - why he was not the automatic pick for this portfolio given his past experience. He said he doesn't think a temporary minister is needed:
Reporter
"Would you be able to tell us why you were not made the temporary minister of Foreign Trade since you have experience in that area?"
Dr. Osmond Martinez, Minister of State, Ministry of Economic Transformation
"That's a question to Prime Minister but I don't think a temporary minister is needed you know. I know the prime minister is looking into it. He's the one that's holding that position and I believe it's only right I don't think anyone can replace Minister Fonseca and I want to take this opportunity to wish him well and a fast recovery we've been praying or him. In addition to a colleague he's a good friend and a mentor that I have."
