Updated 9.20pm with PN comment
The government said on Sunday the theme for the 2025 budget will be "a country of quality" (pajjiż ta’ kwalità).
The theme reflects the government's planned work for the country to move forward "to the next level".
The Office of the Prime Minister said the Finance Minister will on Monday announce the government's plans that favour people's quality of life. The government's plans will continue to be unveiled throughout the week.
"Quality over quantity when it comes to the work sector, road mobility, mental health, tourism and development. These are sectors included in the government's plan for action based on wide consultation in the past weeks."
The 2025 budget theme. Photo: OPMPN demands immediate action from Broadcasting Authority
On Sunday evening the PN said it had written to the Broadcasting Authority over the "partisan government propaganda spot aired on what is meant to be the public broadcasting station".
Not only did the spot include partisan content, but it also featured Prime Minister Robert Abela himself, creating a political imbalance on the eve of the national Budget announcement and potentially in the coming days, the PN said.
This spot has been broadcast several times on TVM, including during and after the news. According to the law, no political propaganda of this nature can be broadcast in this manner unless it forms part of a schedule authorised by the BA. Such spots are otherwise illegal, the party added in a statement.
"Under instructions from Opposition Leader Bernard Grech, the PN has warned that if this broadcast – which causes prejudice against the Opposition – is not stopped immediately and no action is taken by the BA by Monday, the Opposition will have no choice but to seek further legal action to halt this blatant abuse.
"The PN also demands effective redress for what transpired this evening, with the redress remaining in effect until this propaganda is ceased."
It said it was also seeking assurance that the Opposition was given equal airtime as the government to discuss the 2025 Budget, including the option to broadcast similar political spots.