Opposition Leader Bernard Grech said that arrogance is synonymous with Prime Minister’s Robert Abela’s government, which does not truly care about the people.

Speaking at a PN political activity in Zurrieq, Grech said that Malta and its people deserve better, and government is evidently showing that it has no vision or a plan for the country’s future, as shown through last Monday’s Budget for 2023.

Grech described the Budget as a “cosmetic Budget”, one which attempts to cover up unfulfilled promises and does not address several difficulties.

“Government is only addressing the short-term issues, managing by crisis and failing to plan for the future. There is no plan which strengthens the economy, no long-term plan which attracts foreign direct investment," he said.

Grech spoke about the building of a mental health hospital which was one of the PL’s promises in 2013. He said that the Labour party is now in its third legislature and there are no buildings plans, or ideas on where to build it.

“This is one of the important projects which shows tangibly that this government has no plan for the future,” Grech said.

Grech reiterated that the Budget does not have new economic sectors and evidently shows a government which does not give the people hope for the future.

The Nationalist Party had said in a statement that it wants Abela to correct his asset declaration for the year 2021 to reveal how much money he earned from renting property to Russian citizens.

Grech spoke about this, saying that members of parliament have an obligation to declare their assets transparently.

“We have the obligation to declare in parliament what we have and what we have earned throughout the previous year to show that we are not abusing of our power. We (the PN) present them correctly and on time but those in government are recklessly giving millions from public funds,” he said, adding that government has the biggest obligation to be transparent but, they are being the least transparent.

On the White Paper regarding agricultural land reform in Malta, Grech said that we have an arrogant government who presented a law in parliament, whilst the consultation for the same law is still ongoing.

“Government is trying to pass a law which causes more problems. We promised worried farmers that we are going to be their voice and ensure that this law will be the best to ensure food security and the protection of land and farmers,” Grech said.

“I expected solutions but there were only partisan and empty words. Abela has no idea how to address the problems we have today,” he said, referring again to the Budget.

Grech said that in tomorrow’s speech, he will talk about the PN’s vision for the future of the country, including the work-life balance package which invests in the human resource.

“Each one of us is determined to act on our duties and responsibilities towards the public. We will continue dialoguing and speaking up,” he said.

PN MP Graziella Attard Previ and PN MP Jerome Caruana Cilia also spoke at the event.