Labour had no reason to call an early election, Borg says

Alex Borg has questioned why the prime minister chose to call a snap election, as the PN leader addressed his first news conference of the electoral campaign. 

“The prime minister had a year before his mandate came to an end; he had no reason to call it," Borg said. 

“Why has he decided to call an early election? That, for me, raises many questions and worries, not only for me but for the Maltese people,” he said.

Borg was speaking on the first day of an election campaign following Prime Minister Robert Abela's announcement of a May 30 election.

Fielding questions from the media, Borg also said Alex Perici Calascione would be deputy prime minister under a PN government.

Persici Calascione, who currently serves as the Nationalist Party’s deputy leader, is currently not a member of parliament but will be an electoral candidate on the ninth district.

During his leadership campaign, Borg had pledged to introduce a second deputy leader for parliamentary affairs, who would in turn have been deputy prime minister under a PN government.

“Had the Labour Party not called an election a year early, we would have held an internal election for the role in the summer and had the new deputy leader,” Borg said.

Borg dedicated most of his address to outline the meaning of his party’s electoral slogan “nifs ġdid” (fresh start).

“This is not just to have a slogan or a nice phrase on a billboard but it means listening to the people who desire a fresh start," he said.

“We need an economic model that doesn’t focus on more buildings, a larger population and more traffic.”

He said the party will be issuing its first proposals during Tuesday evening's mass rally.

Earlier in the day, Labour leader Robert Abela outlined his party’s first proposals, including an interest-free government loan for first-time property buyers and an extension of maternity leave to six months.

Borg said the PN also has ambitious proposals aimed at young people.

“We have already mentioned several proposals, including the child trust fund, and started a discussion on the four-day week, work-life balance, remote and flexible working.”

He said the party will not be leaving “anyone out” when it publishes its manifesto.