The Nationalist Party said that whilst thousands of families are being forced to find a part-time job to cope with the rising cost of living, the government continues to increase Malta’s debt, which is often due to corrupt deals.

Nationalist MP Mario de Marco said that by the third quarter of 2021, Malta’s debt reached a total of around €8 billion, citing the latest NSO statistics.

“This is a disgraceful figure considering that the amount represents a total of around €16,000 on every Maltese citizen,” he said.

In a press statement, the PN noted that the public no longer believe that this “disproportionate and exaggerated” debt is the result of the Covid-19 pandemic, saying that this rather due to the recklessness and corrupt deals made by the Labour government, such as those related to the Electrogas and Vitals projects.

De Marco strengthened his argument put forth by mentioning the latest story affiliated with Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne and Foundation for Medical Services CEO Carmen Ciantar.

On Friday, the PN had said that it is dissapointing to see that Fearne had awarded a person known to be very close to him a high-value contract that, according to media reports, had not even been signed by the Permanent Secretary for Finance.

Consequently, Ciantar requested the Commissioner for Standards to investigate her €163,000 contract following calls by the PN for its cancellation.

“This is just one of the many jobs that have been allocated by Ministers to their close friends, similar to what was carried out by former Education Minister Justyne Caruana,” he said.

The PN added that it is no coincidence that in the third quarter of 2021, according to the NSO, wages increased by almost €30 million only.

The debt situation in Malta is similar to what happened in Air Malta, as the government on Friday announced that half of the 800 staff complement will be shed in a bid to save the airline.

“It is only the Labour government who prioritises and is devoted to the general election, paying no attention or showing no concern to those Maltese and Gozitan generations who will still have to pay a heavy price for the government’s irresponsibility,” the PN said.