The government kept its proposed drug reform bill hidden from Caritas, Nationalist Party leader Bernard Grech said on Sunday.

During an interview hosted at a Nationalist Party club, Grech said that the government did not consult with Caritas, an entity which is dedicated to helping drug addicts in their recovery.

“They got to know from media,” he said.

Grech was referring to a White Paper about proposed drug reforms published by the Justice Ministry last week which his party claims includes a proposal for those caught with up to 500 ecstasy pills, or 200 grams of heroin, or 200 grams of cocaine, or half a kilo of cannabis to be considered as “victims.”

The Justice Ministry and the Prime Minister have both denied this assertion, stating that the proposal’s intention is to give more tools for the courts to act as it deems fit in cases where rehabilitation may be preferable to imprisonment.

The PN leader however reiterated that the government should withdraw the proposal “as everyone is telling him that this is trafficking.”

Grech was also asked about the names the party has chosen to present as their favourite to fill in the role of President of the Republic.

Malta is scheduled to get a new President succeeding the incumbent George Vella in April – that is if the country’s political forces can come together and reach agreement.

Although not commenting on any specific name, Grech said that the government has still not made any attempt at discussing the selected candidates with them.

The Constitution now dictates that a candidate must receive the backing of two-thirds of Parliament in order to be appointed as President of the Republic – whereas in the past, all that was needed was a simple majority.

Given this new law, Grech said that he hopes that the government does not present a name at the last minute and expect the Opposition to agree.

Abela himself told journalists earlier this week that he wanted a President who is “progressive” and not conservative.

Grech was also asked about former PN MP Franco Debono’s position within the party. He said that Debono never left the party, and he is still a Nationalist councillor, and that they are always both in contact with each other.

On migration, the PN leader said that the government is okay with saying that the country is overpopulated and bringing over 70,000 third country nationals to the country to work over the past three years but will “have no sensitivity for persons who drown in the middle of the sea.”

Grech said that just days after his appointment as PN leader, he proposed a national conference on population and migration to Abela, however the government showed no interest.

“Abela at that time threw away this proposal and ran from this discussion but then three years later we realise this discussion was a necessity,” he said.

The PN leader was also asked about the current education crisis in Malta, where the collective agreement of teachers has been expired since 2021.

After visiting protest by students, he said that students recognise that the problem is coming from the government and have nothing against their teachers.

He said that the PN recognises that teachers are the educators of tomorrow’s society and that is why there should be an investment.

“For me education is not merely information, but holistic development of our children to become good citizens,” he said.

On last week’s news on the Public Broadcasting Services, where it promoted two of its internal reporters – Liam Carter and Massimo Axisa – to editorial positions, Grech said that there should have been a public call for such a position.

He said that under a PN government there would be a big reform at the national broadcaster.