Prime Minister Robert Abela continues to shift the blame regarding the high cost of living problem which is now affecting people of all walks of society, Opposition Leader Bernard Grech said Thursday.

Speaking in an interview on NET FM, Grech spoke about several problems the country is facing, the main one being the high cost of living which is considerably affecting and hindering the quality of life of the people.

Grech said that Abela does not have solutions as he does not feel that this is a priority. He said that there are people such as pensioners, persons with disabilities and low-income families who are finding it difficult to keep up with the high cost of living.

Grech said that Abela is blaming the problem on previous PN governments, the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the war in Ukraine, rather than addressing the problem and consulting with social partners.

The PN leader was asked about the news of Malta’s public broadcaster PBS found by a judge to have breached the Constitution by failing to impartially report on a matter of political controversy.

The PN had filed the case against the Broadcasting Authority, Public Broadcasting Services Ltd, Minister Carmelo Abela and the State Advocate earlier this year, complaining of pro-government bias in the public broadcaster’s programming.

Grech said that what government is doing in controlling its media is not healthy in a democratic society. He said that PBS and the national broadcaster are breaking national rights and that PBS has also failed to report their breach in the appropriate way. Grech said that Abela is using public funds to manipulate the news.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) had published a 25-page report which determined that the cheques handed out by government which amounted to €70 million prior to the March general election did not conform to international standards and good practice.

Regarding this, Grech said that Abela only handed out these cheques to ensure he gets elected with a majority and questioned where the financial aid is now that the cost of living has risen significantly.

Asked about the shortcomings of the Attorney General, Grech said that she has an obligation to explain these failings, otherwise she must be removed from office. He also said that hundreds of police officers are leaving the force prematurely which is a sign of a serious and grave problem in the system.

The new IVF law was briefly published in the online government newspaper despite the President of Malta’s delay signing it. This was consequently taken down. Grech said that Abela is trying to ‘deceive the public.’

On the legal notice on the playing of music in Valletta till 1 am, Grech said that while it is in favour of the city continuing to take life, but this should not be done at the expense of the residents and at the expense of the Valletta losing its identity.

Grech also spoke about the regeneration of the Nationalist party, following the upcoming appointment of the new PN Deputy Leader, where it is expected for the only candidate Alex Perici Calascione to be confirmed for the role.