Abela defends absence from online debate with 'populist' Alex Borg
Prime minister says he had already faced Alex Borg for several debates and had other commitments on the night
Robert Abela has blamed scheduling conflicts for his absence from the election debate hosted by Il-Każin x Times of Malta on Monday, while also pointing out that he faced off with Alex Borg in four previous debates.
The prime minister was asked by journalists on Tuesday why he skipped what became one of the most-watched online debates of the 2026 general election campaign.
Opposition leader Alex Borg spent almost two hours answering questions alone during the Il-Każin x Times of Malta broadcast, with an empty podium placed opposite him where Abela was meant to stand.
“This is a campaign that features five debates with the leader of the opposition. Everyone has asked all the questions they wanted to ask, and my responses were crystal clear,” Abela said.
Abela said that on the day of the debate, he had already faced Borg in another debate organised by the Malta Chamber of Commerce in the morning. He is scheduled to face the Opposition leader again on Wednesday in a debate organised by the Broadcasting Authority.
Previous debates were hosted by the University of Malta, the television programme Extra and the Chamber of SMEs.
Abela also said he had several meetings scheduled for the same evening as the Il-Każin x Times of Malta debate, including one with Special Olympics athletes.
“It wouldn’t have been appropriate for me to cancel with the athletes.” He noted.
During Monday’s online broadcast, Borg said he would resign if a PN government failed to have an 11.5km metro line up and running within five years.
Asked whether he would be willing to make the same commitment if a Labour government failed to achieve its own mass transport targets on time, Abela did not answer directly.
Instead, he criticised Borg, describing his pledge as populist.
“I think Alex Borg, just as he has done many times, was trying to be populist. You give people peace of mind not by saying if I don’t manage, I’ll resign.”
Abela said voters should judge leaders by their track record and ability to deliver results.
He cited the government’s handling of the pandemic, its deficit reduction and an investment agreement with STMicroelectronics as examples of promises that had been delivered within set timeframes.
He said the government had shown it could meet deadlines and deliver major projects on time.