Abela and Borg clash over economy, quality of life and credibility in final election debate

In the final debate of the electoral campaign, Prime Minister Robert Abela and Nationalist Party Leader Alex Borg faced off in a debate dominated by competing visions for Malta’s future, with both leaders focusing heavily on the economy, taxation, infrastructure and quality of life.

Borg opened the debate by presenting the Nationalist Party’s “Nifs Gdid” slogan as a promise of renewal and national unity. He said the PN wanted to “put the Maltese and Gozitans first and before everything,” while outlining a series of economic and social proposals aimed at easing financial pressures on families and young people.

Among the PN’s flagship proposals were reductions in income tax, the removal of succession and donation taxes, higher pensions, and a 25% increase in student stipends. Borg also highlighted plans for a new hospital network, a population strategy and a metro system intended to tackle Malta’s traffic problem.

Abela, meanwhile, defended the Labour government’s record in office, presenting Labour’s “Int Malta” manifesto as a continuation of policies designed to support citizens “from birth to old age.” He pointed to Malta’s handling of recent international crises, including the pandemic and geopolitical instability, arguing that Malta had remained the only European country to keep energy prices stable throughout the turmoil.

Abela also cited several achievements from Labour’s previous manifesto, including reforms to IVF laws, increases in stipends, free gym memberships for youths and major infrastructure projects such as the Msida flyover. Abela additionally referred to the fact that Manoel Island, White Rocks and Fort Campbell would become public assets, while promoting Labour’s manifesto’s wellbeing index aimed at increasing national wellbeing by 25%.

The debate quickly turned combative when the candidates were asked whether their measures were realistic and sustainable.

Borg insisted the PN’s proposals were designed to provide permanent solutions to long-term challenges. He claimed the Opposition’s tax reductions would save workers €1,200 annually and said that the PN would implement a 30% reduction in electricity bills. He also pledged tax-free earnings for youths during the first five years of their careers, annual pension increases of €650, free home visits from doctors for pensioners and fully free cancer medicines.

Abela responded by attacking the credibility of the Opposition’s plans. He criticised the PN’s proposed offshore fuel hub, arguing that the project would not generate returns in its first five years. He also questioned the expertise behind it, arguing that the supposed expert behind the project, Oliver Cini, is not even an engineer.

“You don’t even have an expert on what is supposed to be the major project of your campaign,” Abela said.

Abela further accused the Nationalists of basing their metro proposal on discarded preliminary documents rather than technical studies.

Abela defended Labour’s own long-term planning, highlighting the Labour Migration Policy as a response to overpopulation concerns and pointing to investment from STMicroelectronics as proof that the government was creating new opportunities for Maltese youths. He also promoted Labour’s “Malta in Motion” transport strategy, which includes expanded ferry services and new bus routes, as well as a light rail rapid transit system.

“We are not pretending that these will be done in five years,” Abela said, in reference to the PN’s claim that the first metro line will be completed in that timeframe.

The second half of the debate focused heavily on the balance between economic growth and quality of life.

Borg argued that many businesses were increasingly worried about labour shortages. Referring to a survey by the Chamber of SMEs, he claimed the economy was “going in the wrong direction.” He also accused Labour of failing to deliver promised open spaces and criticised what he described as contradictory transport policies.

“First they say that they want to give people money to give up their license, but then they offer people money to buy a bigger car,” Borg said, referring to Labour’s pledge to provide a grant to larger families to purchase a bigger vehicle.

Defending the PN’s metro proposal, Borg cited a financial feasibility study commissioned by Infrastructure Malta in 2023 suggesting that the building of a metro line could be feasible within five years. He also referred to the PN’s proposal of a new system where drivers who use their vehicles less would pay lower licence fees.

Borg intensified the confrontation by challenging Abela over his claim that a fuel contrabandist was behind the PN’s fuel hub proposal, and asked whether the Prime Minister would be willing to sign an affidavit on the matter.

Abela countered by insisting Malta remained “best in class” in both economic performance and employment. He described Labour’s manifesto as fully costed and detailed several new proposals of social measures, including stronger maternity and paternity leave rights, Individual Learning Accounts funded with €500 annually for every child, and the “Our Next Home” scheme aimed at helping larger families and separated individuals move into better housing.

Abela also referred to plans for a €1,000 bonus for workers, self-employed people and part-timers (pro-rata), together with a €50 weekly pension increase and reforms to pension disparities affecting people born before and after 1962.

In his closing remarks, Borg criticised Abela for not attending a debate hosted by Times of Malta two days prior. He portrayed the Nationalist Party as renewed and energised, highlighting younger candidates and former Labourites who had joined the party.

“We have people who used to be members of the Labour Party yet lost faith in it and now have found a family within the Nationalists,” Borg said.

Borg also reiterated an apology to Nationalist voters who may have felt alienated in the past, urging them to “vote again for change.”

Abela concluded by once again challenging the Opposition to publish technical studies supporting its fuel hub and mass transport proposals. He argued that the PN lacked concrete proposals in key sectors such as construction reform.

“You don’t have a single proposal on the reform of the construction sector, just like you don’t have on many issues,” Abela said. 

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