Repubblika expresses its criticism of the fact that the Parliamentary Opposition party, in violation of electoral law, does not publish its financial books. The publication of the financial books of political parties is an important transparency tool that allows for civic oversight of the behavior of parties and a tool against corruption.
Just as we criticize the decision of Prime Minister Robert Abela not to publish the declarations of his assets and income and those of government ministers, we criticize this lack of transparency by the Opposition party.
We do not understand why this continues to happen year after year without consequence.
And we are not convinced by the explanation that is being given that the lack of publication of assets is the auditor’s fault. The obligation to publish audited financial books is on the political party and it is the duty of the political party to ensure that it has auditors who do their job in a timely manner.
We appeal for this situation to be rectified as soon as possible and that until the audit problem is addressed, the Nationalist Party should publish the unaudited books.
We have the right to demand nothing less from all political parties.