The Nationalist Party has questioned how the government ended August with a larger deficit and national debt exceeding €12 billion despite collecting €724 million more in tax revenue during the first eight months of the year than in the same period of 2025.

In a statement issued by PN MPs Adrian Delia and Darren Carabott, the PN cited figures published by the National Statistics Office showing that national debt had increased by €864 million over the past year. The party said this amounted to almost €30,000 in debt for every Maltese and Gozitan citizen.

It also pointed to a government deficit of €376.2 million by August 2026, compared with €203.4 million during the same period a year earlier - an increase of more than 85%.

According to the figures cited by the party, government tax revenue between January and August 2026 was €724 million higher than during the corresponding period of 2025.

The PN argued that the increase in revenue had nevertheless been accompanied by higher debt and a larger deficit.

The party said €183 million of the increase in government expenditure had gone towards capital investment, while recurrent expenditure had risen by €687.2 million.

It also highlighted €218.6 million in interest payments on public debt by August. Citing the government's 2026 Budget projections, the PN said annual interest payments were expected to reach between €340 million and €350 million, or approximately €1 million a day.

The PN attributed the deterioration in the government's finances to what it described as excessive and insufficiently controlled spending.

It referred to concerns raised in reports by the Auditor General regarding oversight and transparency in the use of public funds.

The party also criticised the government's expenditure related to the Labour Party's appropriation of property for political purposes.

The PN called on the government to address the financial situation by reducing wasteful and reckless spending, rather than seeking additional revenue from key economic sectors.

It also questioned the government's commitments made during the election, saying that any decision to reverse those promises should be explained.

The statement concluded by calling on Prime Minister Robert Abela to clarify the government's assessment of Malta's financial position, contrasting it with concerns attributed to Finance Minister Clyde Caruana over energy subsidies and spending cuts across ministries.

"Maltese families deserve the truth," the statement concluded.