The Nationalist Party yesterday harshly criticised the Government’s decision to change many permanent secretaries, saying it had chosen the politicisation of the civil service above the national interest.

“For the first time ever, changes to permanent secretaries have been linked to a change in government. This politicisation of the civil service is an unhealthy development,” the PN said.

The Government has substituted all but three of the 10 permanent secretaries that used to serve under the previous administration, making 14 appointments to the posts.

The PN described this approach as aggressive and unneeded, given the increase in the number of ministries and the impending retirement of some of the senior officials involved.

The Maltese civil service, it added, had long shown itself able to serve different political administrations faithfully and loyally.