PN dissects its first 100 days as a party in Opposition

The first political target of the Nationalist Party is the MEP elections taking place next year, with the goal of electing its first three MEPs in 10 years.

As a party in Opposition, the PN wants to be a scrutinising force that also puts forwards alternative policies.

Somewhat reminiscent of a Labour Party during the electoral campaign, the PN wants to push forward 'good governance', portraying a party that was "in favour of transparency, high standards and ethics".

But how can the PN be credible when it had been embroidered in political appointments which were too close for comfort?

"Are we credible when we point out the Labour government's lack of ethics in repeated instances? I would say that the PN administration had been heavily criticised by the then Labour opposition and yet it seems the government has not learned from past mistakes," PN leader Simon Busuttil said.

"After everything the PL used to say, we would have expected it to act differently... but it is clear from the start that Labour has thrown out ethics and standards out of the window."

Addressing a press conference on the PN's first 100 days in Opposition, Busuttil said the party had embarked on a renewal process that would lead to a strong and constructive opposition.

Pressing on the Franco Mercieca waiver, Busuttil said the opposition will keep on pressing in parliament to know how much had the parliamentary secretary earned while conducting his private operations during his first 100 days as a junior minister.

"It is in the public's interest to know," the PN leader insisted.

Government's lack of standards, he added, was shown in it signing a memorandum of understanding with a Chinese company which was blacklisted by the World Bank.

Insisting that the PN had "nothing against" Chinese investment, the agreement "contrasted" with a government who heavily campaigned on transparency.

Asked whether the PN was in favour of a tunnel or a bridge linking Malta and Gozo, Busuttil said it would be premature to take a position before all necessary studies were conducted.

For transparency's sake, Busuttil was asked whether the Nationalist Party would be publishing its financial accounts and costs incurred during the electoral campaign.

"We will see that our accounts are published according to the law," Busuttil said.

A party financing law has yet to be enacted by parliament. Busuttil said that while it was a challenge for the commission appointed to review the party's financial situation - facing an €8 million debt - in respect of "good governance" the PN wanted to see that transparency is applicable to both government and opposition.

He did not mince his words when he dubbed the amnesty granted to prisoners "a payback for the electoral victory". Standing by the PN's media reports that ministers Marie Louise Coleiro Preca and Anton Refalo were among the Cabinet members who had promised the amnesty during the election campaign, Busuttil said he was still waiting for the government's reaction.

He was also very curt in describing former Nationalist MPs Jesmond Mugliett, Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and Franco Debono as Labour supporters. Asked what was the PN's final position with regard to the three, Busuttil said: "The last time I check they were militating within the PL".

He however was less accusing of the appointment of Lou Bondì on the national festivities board: "I took note of his appointment, along with that of the other members of the board."

The PN was still "unhappy" about Debono's appointment as coordinator of the Constitutional Convention.

"We are not happy about the way the constitutional reform has been tackled so far. We however recognise it is a sensitive issues which should keep us united as a nation. We are still giving the government the opportunity to tackle it correctly. Franco Debono's appointment was not a step in the right direction," Busuttil said.

It was also confirmed that secretary-general Chris Said had "personally" called former Commissioner John Dalli in the past days. According to Police Commissioner Peter Paul Zammit, there is no case against Dalli over alleged bribery involving Swedish Match.

"But let's keep things in perspective," Busuttil added. "We are a party in opposition. Evidently, Dalli was already in talks with the government. If he is practically to lead Mater Dei Hospital, no less a vote of no confidence in the Health Minister, we will have to stick to our role as Opposition and scrutinize Dalli's work."