Opposition Leader Bernard Grech said that the country's debt has doubled in 10 years, adding that the country's deficit is increasing by €2 million a day and that the government "has nothing to show for it, nor are the Maltese and Gozitan citizens any better off."

Grech spoke in an interview with NET FM on Sunday, expressing his concern that the Maltese population has been feeling significantly 'worse' about living in Malta, seeing no future in their country.

"Prime Minister Robert Abela threw everything out the window, at the expense of everything but growing the economy," Grech said, adding that Abela does the latter by increasing the country's population.

He said that the heaviest weight the Maltese are shouldering is the higher cost of living, with a Prime Minister who is completely cut off from the realities the public is going through.

"Everyone, including Labour supporters, have been saying that we cannot go any longer like this, that the country is sinking," Grech said, attributing this to the lack of plan by government.

He said that a PN government had managed to grow the economy, without breaking the people's right to serenity, without compromising quality of life and endangering the environment, as the PN did it with a plan.

He said that Abela has abandoned the people, and while the country's debt continues to increase, "you are not any better for it, you tell me you are worse and see no future in this country."

Grech said that the PN has solutions, and that the public has a huge thirst for a government with solutions.

He continued that Abela ignores solutions brought forth by the PN, and that the public needs a change.

Grech said that the PN is proposing an economic model which works to advance the country, without causing damage to the environment, for a better quality of life and for the citizen to feel better living in Malta.

"We have nothing to show for the increasing debt. We have a government without a plan, who only tries to solve crises," Grech said.

He said that the PN insists on building new economic sectors as it had done when in government.

Grech said that there needs to be social justice, for better wages and conditions for workers.

He said that the Maltese worker who is not happy with their wage, and deserves a pay increase, cannot accomplish this as foreign workers who work for less money are constantly brought in.

"It is designed for workers to, instead of competing for higher salaries, the worker is competing to reduce their value," Grech said.

Grech said that Abela always blames someone else for the issues which arise, such as the distribution of electricity, which he blamed on the PN, and he also put the blame on developers for the issue of overdevelopment.

"This is a vote of mistrust on the government's own authorities, as it means that they are not capable of saying 'no' to excessive and bad projects," Grech said, referring to a comment made by Abela where he told developers not to submit non-starter applications that go against regulations.

Grech continued that businesses who conform with ESG criteria can be offered a better tax rate for helping with improving the environment, social and governance in the country.

For Independence Day, the PN's theme will be that of 'Hajja Ahjar' (Better Life).

"The people cannot take it any longer. I cannot stand seeing more Maltese who do not see another path, except for leaving the country," Grech said.

Grech said that many are taking to social media to express their feelings.

"This is a loss. We are losing the skills, intelligence, and creativity of these people. There is the need to offer a better quality of life in the country," Grech continued.

"The theme of a better life is not just a theme, but it is our politics based on our plans from the electoral programme. We will continue advocating for a better life," he said, adding that government should attract people to stay, or come back if they have left.

The PN will be speaking at Valletta on the Independence Day.