Deputy Leader and Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba has formally requested the European People’s Party (EPP) to investigate financial irregularities within the Nationalist Party (PN), a member of the EPP. In a letter addressed to the President and Secretary-General of the EPP, Agius Saliba highlighted the PN’s failure to submit audited accounts for the past four years and donation reports for the past three years.

The Labour Party announced this development in an official statement, emphasising that transparency and accountability are fundamental to democratic governance.

In his letter, Agius Saliba stressed the importance of timely financial disclosures, stating:

“One cannot accuse the Government of failing to uphold the rule of law while simultaneously refusing to disclose the sources of party funding. Our voters deserve to know what influences political decisions, and party financing laws exist to protect this fundamental democratic right.”

Allegations of Nepotism and Mismanagement

Agius Saliba also raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest within the PN’s financial management, pointing out that its treasurer, Veronica Perici Calascione, is the daughter of Deputy Leader Alex Perici Calascione. He argued that this close family connection undermines confidence in the party’s financial oversight, making it appear as though its accounts are being managed like a private family business rather than a political institution.

A History of Avoiding Transparency

The Labour MEP further criticised the PN’s historical reluctance to introduce party financing regulations when it was in government. He noted that it was a Labour-led administration that ultimately enacted laws to ensure financial transparency in political parties.

Commenting on the issue, Agius Saliba stated:

“It is evident that the PN is deliberately delaying the publication of its financial records. They have attempted to shift blame onto auditors, yet they do not need an auditor to tell them how much they received in donations and from whom.”

Agius Saliba’s letter urges the EPP leadership to take action and ensure that all its member parties adhere to the highest standards of financial accountability and transparency.