Opposition Leader Bernard Grech said on Saturday that the Nationalist Party will fulfil its commitment to those who invested in the party’s ċedoli scheme.

In an interview with Andrew Azzopardi on 103 Malta’s Heart, Grech said that despite the €32 million debt the Nationalist Party is facing, this scheme will be honoured fully.

By virtue of the scheme, people who wished to help the party had lent the PN a one-time loan of €10,000 on a voluntary basis repayable within 10 years, in exchange for four per cent interest payable per annum. 

Last Sunday, Grech said that the PN is currently €32 million in debt. Speaking on this matter, Grech said that he made such a public announcement to be authentic and honest with the party’s members.

“In order to improve the operation of the PN, we must first solve the financial problems,” Grech said.

He added that regardless of these financial problems, this does not mean that investments will not be made wisely. Assets will be used optimally and that the costs related to the party media company will be reduced, he said.

With regard to the media company, Grech said that it will be his priority to avoid firing party workers who have made so many sacrifices.

Azzopardi suggested that the government should pay off the Nationalist party's debt because without an Opposition, there would be a democratic deficit.

In reply, Grech said that the people's money should be used responsibly. He reminded that even the Labour Party has a debt that, according to Grech, is substantial.

Grech said that contrary to what happens in the Nationalist Party, there are government employees who contribute to the internal workings of the Labour Party and the activities of the party which he said are paid for by the people's money.

Grech said that he has no salary coming from the Nationalist Party and the only salary he receives is that of Opposition Leader.

Speaking about the general election result - the PN lost the third election in a row - Grech said that he has always taken the outcome of any results in the most serene and mature manner.

Grech said that the Nationalist Party is analysing the general election result to ensure that the internal problems are addressed.

“The Nationalist Party needs to now make the necessary changes to grow and move forward,” Grech said.

Asked why he did not resign as Simon Busuttil had done in 2017, Grech said that he had met with Busuttil to try to persuade him to stay on.

“I do not believe that I should resign following such a result, but rather, I will continue with my work,” Grech said. 

He added that in his time as PN Leader, he never said that he would have all the solutions to solve the party’s problems.

On the exclusion of Chris Said, Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici and Mario de Marco from the party’s Shadow Cabinet, Grech said that it was his responsibility as party leader to choose the best cabinet in the interest of the party.

“Nonetheless, all three MPs still have a lot to offer to the party and will be given different roles accordingly, if they accept,” Grech said.

Grech said that former Nationalist Party strategist Chris Peregin is not a party employee but still advises the party on a number of matters.

He did not rule out the possibility of Peregin returning to the party in the future.

He also refused to say whether Peregin failed as the party’s strategist during the election campaign due to the result achieved, but rather said that he was satisfied with the way Peregin carried out his job.

Asked about the relationship between NGOs such as Repubblika and the Nationalist Party, Grech said that this is not the first time that the PN has had the same opinion as an NGO but does not have the same style.

He mentioned the issue surrounding that of Wied Żnuber in Birżebbuġa and said that the PN clearly expressed its opinion in a manner which is different from NGOs or that of other organisations.

Grech explained that the party has taken a clear stand on corruption, but that in an election it is not enough to convince voters not to vote for the opposing party.

“One must convince them by showing the people that your party is the party that will lead the country in the best way possible,” Grech said.