Alex Borg says youths must \u2018start believing in Malta again\u2019<\/p>\n
PN Leader Alex Borg said that young people must “start believing in Malta and Gozo again” as he reiterated a series of youth-focused proposals, including tax-free income during the first five years of employment and higher stipends.<\/p>\n
Addressing supporters during a political activity in Balzan, Borg said the Nationalist Party wanted young people to “start believing in Malta and Gozo again” and give them hope that the country believes in them.<\/p>\n
He said the PN had dedicated a chapter of its manifesto specifically to youths and their challenges.<\/p>\n
“We do not want to simply preach to young people and tell them what to do. We wanted to show them that we truly believe in them,” Borg said.<\/p>\n
Among the proposals he mentioned, Borg mentioned a “crucial” PN measure under which youths entering employment after completing their education would pay no tax during their first five years of work on salaries of up to €50,000 annually.<\/p>\n
He said the proposal would help young people plan better, gain flexibility and invest in their first home.<\/p>\n
On education, Borg said a future PN government would increase stipends by 25% from the beginning of the next scholastic year.<\/p>\n
He said the proposal was not being made simply because of the election, but because the PN believes in education and in giving youths “the tools, strength and independence” to face the rising cost of living through study and qualifications.<\/p>\n
Borg also referred to concerns raised by youths considering careers in science and healthcare, saying many become discouraged because of pressures within the health sector.<\/p>\n
Referring to comments made by the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses, Borg said nurses and midwives remain among the lowest-paid professionals despite their responsibilities.<\/p>\n
He said a PN government would increase stipends for all healthcare-related sectors to the equivalent of the national minimum wage, amounting to around €1,000 monthly.<\/p>\n
The PN leader also pledged investment in four hospitals across Malta and Gozo, saying this was something “others have been promising for 13 years.”<\/p>\n
“We hear a lot about credibility. Credibility comes through facts and through what you deliver over the years,” Borg said.<\/p>\n
He pointed to investments carried out by previous PN governments in Mater Dei Hospital, SAMOC and the Gozo hospital, while criticising Labour over the hospitals concession scandal.<\/p>\n
“The biggest guarantee that hospitals will truly be invested in is the PN,” he said.<\/p>\n
Borg added that the PN also wants to encourage young people to start planning for private pensions earlier in life.<\/p>\n
Under this proposal, he said a PN government would invest €1,000 annually for five years into private pensions chosen by individuals under the age of 35, resulting in savings of €5,000.<\/p>\n
On the economy, Borg said the PN wants to create more high-quality jobs and invest in sectors such as newspace, artificial intelligence and data industries.<\/p>\n
He said that previous PN governments had already shown vision through sectors such as gaming, maritime services, aviation, pharmaceuticals and financial services.<\/p>\n
“The gaming industry was once criticised, yet today it creates quality jobs and strong economic growth,” Borg said, adding that the Labour government has invested in these same sectors, because it also believed in them.<\/p>\n
He also referred to proposals involving the creative economy, including investment in a National Hall and a Marsa Expo Centre to improve infrastructure for creatives.<\/p>\n
Borg defended the proposed Mediterranean maritime fuel hub at Hurd’s Bank, saying the project had been endorsed by the Malta Maritime Forum and would eventually help remove the LNG tanker from Marsaxlokk.<\/p>\n
Concluding his speech, Borg urged voters to carefully use “the five seconds” they will have while voting on 30 May.<\/p>\n
“You have a choice – old politics or the politics that gives a fresh start to all Malta and Gozo,” he said.<\/p>\n