Busuttil to meet party employees over cash flow situation

Newly-elected Nationalist Party leader Simon Busuttil is to hold an informal meeting with employees of the PN and its companies, after financial problems in the aftermath of the general elections left the administration with no cash to pay salaries.

"I won't be coming with a plan," Busuttil said. "I have appointed a commission to identify the party's financial problems. The main message I want to convey is that I am close to these employees and I will be touching base with them."

PN have not received their April salaries, the second consecutive month that workers have not been paid at the end of the month. Most employees had received their March salaries in mid-April. The party and its media companies are believed to employ around 150 people.

Busuttil today entered his office as party leader for the first time, with his predecessor Lawrence Gonzi welcoming him and wishing him success.

"Simon has done a great sacrifice in leaving behind his career in Brussels as an MEP. His sacrifice is much appreciated, even if politics is after all about serving people and the country. I pledge him my full support," Gonzi, who served as prime minister between 2004 and 2013, said.

Busuttil was elected deputy leader of the PN in December 2012 and elected to parliament in the general elections of March. He now will meet the PN's various branches and committees, and also hold meetings with its top organs, the administrative and executive committees, and MPs.

"In between all these meetings I will be assisting my son prepare for his 'O' levels," Busuttil joked, who will soon be sworn in as Opposition leader and is expected to appoint a new shadow Cabinet.

Busuttil thanked Gonzi, whose premiership he said had represented "integrity, commitment and love for the country", and also thanked outgoing secretary-general Paul Borg Olivier for the "difficult job" he undertook in the past five years.

The PN is to shortly elect a new deputy leader and secretary-general.