The Nationalist Party will be following through on its pledge to publish its audited accounts within Alex Borg’s first 100 days as leader, according to one of his closest aides.

Simon Mizzi, the PN’s Chair of Leadership Delivery and a key figure in Borg’s inner team, insisted that the accounts will be published in a reaction to a Lovin Malta post reporting that the Labour Party had today submitted its accounts to the electoral commission.

“Read my lips. They will be published,” read Mizzi’s comment.

Labour’s filing placed fresh attention on the PN, which has not published audited accounts in five years, and on Borg’s campaign promise to bring the party back into compliance within 100 days of taking office – a deadline which expires in 18 days.

In its statement on Thursday, Labour argued that it continues to meet its transparency obligations consistently, accusing the PN of failing in this regard.

In an interview with Lovin Malta immediately after his appointment, Mizzi had said that publishing the accounts was a priority for Borg, insisting that he saw no good reason for them not to be published.

Publishing the accounts before the 100-day give Borg an early governance achievement at a time when the party is seeking to rebuild credibility. Failing to meet the pledge, however, would likely expose the PN to renewed criticism — particularly after such a clear public commitment from within its senior team.