PN Leader Alex Borg pledged on Sunday that a PN government would ensure that ministerial asset declarations would be published each year, and would also include the assets of their spouses.

Borg was being interviewed on PN media, and was asked about changes to the declarations of assets proposed by the government. The government's proposed changes to the Code of Ethics and asset declaration requirements would formally do away with ministerial asset declarations, while also removing the requirement for MPs to list immovable property belonging to their spouses where the community of acquests applies.

The Ministerial declarations of assets, which are separate and more detailed than ones filed in Parliament by all MPs, have not been published since 2023, with Prime Minister Robert Abela previously saying that there should be one kind of uniform asset declaration for everyone.

Borg was highly critical of the government. "The Executive is paid by the peoples' taxes. The government has public contracts in its hands, and appoints people for works it carries out around the country. Then they don't want to declare their assets?"

"That is why questions arise, such as what happened with Roderick Galdes. Why doesn't the Prime Minister want to publish the declarations of assets? ... These are the questions people are asking," Borg said.

During the interview, Borg was also asked about the EPP summit that took place. Borg said that during the summit he spoke about the Mediterranean situation, regarding the Arctic Metagaz tanker, which for a time was close to Malta but has moved towards Libya. "Situations like this cannot be tackled on our own. We need the support of the EU, and I went there, as the government also did at EU level, as we need to pull the same rope on such issues, to put pressure on the EU to help us with this situation."

He said that the tanker could create an ecological disaster, and that he spoke to the European Commission President and said she showed him support on this issue. "There must be collectivity so that issues like this don't happen."

Asked about the PN's calls for a new economic model, he said the PN is always in favour of economic growth that improves people's lives, that leaves more money in peoples pockets and which is sustainable.

He mentioned that the PN has a new sector in mind it wants to attract, and would make the announcement in the coming weeks.

"I want the PN to be the party that builds a dream for the people. Do you remember when the PN dreamt of bringing gaming to Malta. Today it is one of the biggest sectors, because the PN looked ahead. Remember when the PN in government dreamt of bringing and strengthening the maritime and aviation sectors? Today it is a reality."

He spoke of the importance of education, to support and strengthen the economy. "When the PN in government wanted to strengthen aviation, it started with the education sector and launched specific courses at MCAST," he said, mentioning that today Lufthansa Tachnik is in Malta.

Turning to the PN's proposal to reduce VAT to 7% for restaurants, and the Finance Minister's reaction to it, Borg said that Malta is in the situation it is in because of Caruana's vision. "In 2013 he ran JobsPlus," Borg said, adding that the economic growth Caruana proposed at the time was one based on the importation of labour. That led to the present situation, Borg said. He added that Caruana is also not consistent. "On one paper he said that the PN's proposal will cost €80 million, in another he said it would cost €140 million." He also took aim at other comments Caruana made, accusing the Finance Minister of calling restaurants thieves.

Asked if the PN is ready for an election, Borg said it seems that the campaign has begun, "even if the Prime Minister is not clear on whether an early election is coming. Borg said that the government spent four years dragging feet, and now feeling panicked, making promises, mentioning massive projects, and now says it has the environment at heart. But there is a sea between words and facts. Regarding open spaces, look at Ta' Qali and see what an open space means for the PL. They spent thousands to fill it with sand. That is the reality. People have spent 13 years realizing the government has no credibility on the environment and healthcare. We know what they did with vitals and steward."

Turning to the low fertility rate in Malta, Borg said that it is a challenge that needs to be addressed. "It is not only a financial question. Part of it is, but there is a holistic aspect as to why it is dropping each year. There is the affordability of housing issue, where young couples give up looking for places to live. Where will a youth couple find €400,000 for an apartment, or the deposit for it? Do you think they would have €40,000 ready for an apartment?" He also mentioned the cost of living situation.

"We need to see how we can support them to purchase vacant property through tax rebates for instance. We need to see how the government can support consumers regarding the cost of living." He mentioned the work life balance as well.