Abela dismisses early election rumours, again: 'We still have a lot to do'

Robert Abela has once again shot down rumours of an early election, telling a Labour rally that his government “still has a lot to do” before going to the polls.

Rumours about a March or June election had started swirling once again in previous days, despite Abela having categorically ruled that out in a Times of Malta interview last November.

In a nod to those rumours, the prime minister and Labour leader told a crowd packed into the Cottonera Sports Complex that he had “something to share” with them.

“It’s not what you’re thinking,” he added with a smile. “It’s not that. We still have a lot to do before we get to that date.”

The allusion drew laughs, followed by applause from the crowd. 

The current legislature began in March 2022 and will run until March 2027. Electoral campaigns can last up to 90 days, meaning the next election could potentially be held as late as June 2027. However, Abela can dissolve parliament and call an election at any stage.

In an interview with Times of Malta editor-in-chief Herman Grech last November, Abela said he had no intention of calling a snap poll.

“We have a five-year mandate. The election will be called when it is in the national interest. If you are putting the question to me today, I would say the national interest does not necessitate an early election,” he said at the time.

Speaking at the Labour rally on Friday night, Abela focused on his government’s efforts to develop national parks at Manoel Island, the White Rocks complex and Fort Campbell and pledged to return Kalkara’s Fort San Salvatore – which is privately held and in a run-down state – to the public.