Updated | PN says split is figment of Muscat’s imagination

The Nationalist Party today said that the division which Labour talks about is only a figmant of the Prime Minister's imagination.

Earlier, Labour said that the opposition's latest “negative” statement on employment confirmed the split within the PN's ranks, adding that the “negative faction” led by leader Simon Busuttil and his deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami has the upper hand within the party.

Once again Labour harped about what it claims is a split between two factions within the opposition, one led by deputy leader for parliamentary affairs Mario de Marco and another led by deputy leader for party affairs Beppe Fenech Adami.

Yesterday, the opposition said that half of the new jobs created were occupied by foreigner, warning that several new jobs within the private sector are being taken up by Romanian and Bulgarian workers who are willing to accept lower wages.

This, Labour said, contrasts with a previous statement issued last week by de Marco in which the PN deputy leader underlined the importance of the private sector in job creation.

“This is diametrically opposed to Fenech Adami’s criticism of jobs created in the public sector, when it’s a well-known fact that these jobs were created in the health and education sectors,” Labour said.

“Is Beppe Fenech Adami saying that no new teachers, nurses or LSAs should be employed?” Labour asked.

The statement added that while the opposition is busy being negative, the people have a somewhat different perspective and is in an optimist mood because government is toiling hard to create new jobs and opportunities.

PN reacts

In its reaction, the opposition said that the split only exists in Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s imagination who “makes things up on others” instead of addressing the needs of families.

“It would be better if Muscat resolves the problems facing Maltese families, including traffic and theft,” the opposition said, adding that government’s solutions so far included a proposal to have school children wake up early and encourage residents to refrain themselves from going abroad.

Calling on Muscat to shoulder responsibility, the PN said the Prime Minister should address the “institutionalised corruption” that is plaguing government.

“If government is allowing such filth to happen after two and a half years in power, one wonders what will happen if it wins powers again,” the opposition added.