The Nationalist Party has called on the Labour Party to give up its lease on a property in Siġġiewi needed by the local council to expand the civic centre.

Accusing the Prime Minister of putting his party’s interests before those of residents, shadow justice minister Jason Azzopardi denied the PN was after political vindictiveness. “The only political vindictiveness being shown is by Joseph Muscat with Siġġiewi residents,” he said.

Siġġiewi mayor Karol Aquilina and Opposition planning spokesman Ryan Callus insisted the PL should give the property back to the locality.

In 2010, the PL moved to the property adjacent to the civic centre on a five-year lease, during which time it was supposed to find an alternative site for its club. The club had formerly occupied the property where the civic centre is situated and the Nationalist government had moved to terminate the lease.

Dr Azzopardi said the law regulating the financing of political parties laid down that the government could not finance political parties. “It is clear this law is being broken because it is indirect financing when the government gives public property to the Labour Party,” he said.

The Siġġiewi council on Tuesday voted in favour of taking the matter to court. The Labour councillors opposed the decision.