Civil society group Repubblika has published an open letter to Prime Minister Robert Abela and Randolph De Battista, slamming the former's decision to appoint the latter as an ambassador.

Prime Minister Robert Abela said Friday that MP Randolph De Battista will resign from Parliament to become Malta's ambassador to Geneva. De Battista also recently resigned as CEO of the Labour Party.

Repubblika, in its open letter addressed to the two, said: "You should be ashamed of yourselves."

"We are tired of seeing you use our taxes and public appointments in our country to pretend to solve the problems between you. We cannot bear to see you pig out more while preaching to us about meritocracy and progressive politics. Your empty words mean nothing. What counts are the decisions you make. You have brought the country, its institutions, and public offices as though they are your property to distribute as you please in order to avoid trouble among yourselves," the letter read.

"Prime Minister, Dr. De Battista, an ambassador represents the country, not the Labour Party. An ambassador is paid by us, not by the contractors who finance the Labour Party. An ambassador should be appointed based on their competence, not to avoid creating trouble for the Labour Party. What you are telling our children is that they should not strive and develop their skills. The important thing is to be at the heart of the clique. You should be ashamed of yourselves."