Karl Stennienibarra
Stellina Galea, better known as ‘U aw x’jisimha dik ta’ Livigno’, has been appointed as the new Maltese ambassador to Italy.
The well-known travel agent, who over the years has inflicted hundreds of Maltese people onto the Alpine ski resort of Livigno, becomes one of the country’s highest ranking diplomats abroad.
“While Ms Galea has no experience in diplomacy or related fields, she can list all the towns in Italy and their tourist attractions in 30 seconds flat, making her an ideal candidate,” a Government spokesperson said.
Galea’s appointment comes at a time when relations between Malta and Italy are at their lowest point in decades, due to the ongoing migrant crisis in the Mediterranean.
Behind closed doors, Government officials have expressed their hope that Galea’s rapid speaking style and marketing nous will bamboozle Italian deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini into agreeing to anything Malta wants.
Her appointment follows that of water polo coach Karl Izzo as ambassador to Montenegro, the only country in the world whose parliament meets in a swimming pool.
Several other ambassadorships will be up for grabs in the coming months, with a ġbejna the current favourite to become ambassador to France.
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