Mario Cutajar ‘worst example of partisan political appointments’ – Simon Busuttil
The leader of the Nationalist Party, Simon Busuttil, yesterday said he would “absolutely remove” Permanent Secretary and Head of Civil Service Mario Cutajar should the PN win the election.
Dr Busuttil was responding to questions from The Malta Independent during a press conference in Floriana. He said that Mr Cutajar’s appointment was the “worst example of partisan political appointments” from the Labour government.
“The fact that he was once Glenn Bedingfield’s assistant is enough evidence of this.”
The PN leader was also asked if he would be able to control a party of extremes, should he be elected.
Far-right Josie Muscat has recently joined the PN grouping, which also includes leftists and outspoken members Marlene Farrugia, who leads the Democratic Party, and Salvu Mallia. “This is a Forza Nazzjonali, where everyone is standing up to be counted. Yesterday, three consultants joined. We have people with different ideas who want to work together and engage in discussion. We have a common programme, and we all want to combat corruption. We want clean politics. Josie Muscat and myself will be able to talk, even if we have difficulties. Muscat has made it clear that he will accept the party’s position. It is up to the electorate to decide whether they want him or not.”
The PN leader was also pressed on his ever-changing position on the sale of citizenship scheme.
Dr Busuttil had formerly said that he was against the initiative in principle. However, he recently announced he would keep the scheme were he to be elected. The PN leader has said that this election was mainly about principles, not proposals. Dr Busuttil said that the PN had fought hard to make the scheme more credible, by including clauses where the applicants would need to purchase or rent a property in Malta and reside here for one year.
Dr Busuttil also said that he did not trust the Electoral Commission since it is mainly composed of persons appointed by Prime Minister Muscat, but maintained that the PN would remain vigilant.
He was also asked if he would resign if he lost the election, but he said that he had the utmost faith that the country will make the correct choice for Malta.