PN deputy leader Simon Busuttil this evening criticised the appointment of certain people to top posts in the civil service and public agencies.

Speaking in Parliament, he said it seemed that the only criteria needed for such appointments was participation in the Labour Party or being within the GWU.

He said that the Opposition would not be bribed with invitations to executive positions.

Earlier he asked the government for the exact reason as to why the 2012 budget deficit figure has been revised from 2.3 to 3.3 per cent saying that the previous government had based its projections on real figures.

He warned that going over the 3 per cent figure would take Malta into an excessive deficit procedure leading the European Commission to ask questions about the country’s financial credibility. Questions would also be asked by the credit rating agencies.

Dr Busuttil noted that the Finance Minister was projecting a deficit of 2.7 per cent for this year when the PN’s original projection was 1.7 per cent.

This showed that in his initial declaration, the Finance Minister was admitting that a Labour government would increasing debt. He also admitted that a deficit would  continue to be registered throughout the legislature.