The campaign in pictures: Malta’s 2026 election race

After just over five weeks of rallies, mass meetings, press conferences, and debates, the 2026 election campaign came to a close as Malta and Gozo headed to the polls on Saturday. 

So while voters continue to make their way to their local polling stations, Times of Malta looks back at the campaign and some of its most memorable moments through photos. 

Credit Matthew Mirabelli

The morning after Robert Abela announced the election almost a year early in a sombre television broadcast, he was addressing his first morning press conference, which would go on to become a daily ritual for reporters and photographers alike. The briefings were held in a custom designed studio in Ta’ Qali, where a series of new proposals were trickled out every day. 

Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Alex Borg used his first press conference of the campaign to introduce the Nationalist Party’s slogan, Nifs Ġdid  “a fresh start”. 

Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

The 100th anniversary of Workers' Day celebrations turned into mass meetings as party faithful gathered en masse just a few days after the announcement of the election. Labour supporters gathered outside Castille and the Labour leader walked out of this office door to address supporters, as the memorial to iconic former prime minister Dom Mintoff towered over the crowd

Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

On the same day in Lija, the Nationalist Party gathered its supporters for their first mass rally of the campaign with many holding up “Alex 26” banners. 

Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

On the campaign trail in Santa Luċija, Prime Minister Robert Abela received a warm reception from supporters, particularly after he referred to the Nationalist proposal for a fixed offshore fuel hub off Hurd’s Bank, describing it as the brainchild of “Malta’s biggest fuel smuggler”.

Photo: Emam Borg

Alex Borg later signed an affidavit denying any contact with contrabandists or individuals involved in illegal activity in relation to the Nationalist Party’s proposed fuel investment.

Photo: PL

The candidacy of social worker Omar Rababah proved to be one of the more controversial moments of the campaign, following a torrent of racist abuse on social media, including Islamophobic conspiracy theories alleging a Muslim agenda to take over Malta.

Photo: Jonathan Borg

The campaign also marked what some described as the end of an era for the Nationalist Party, as veteran politicians Mario De Marco and Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, both from long-standing political families, opted not to contest, making way for a new generation.

Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

The debates provided some of the campaign’s defining moments. The University debate was the only occasion during the election cycle where five party leaders shared the same stage. 

Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

It was also punctuated by a rowdy audience, with students interrupting speakers, and a Momentum candidate and professor being removed after making an offensive gesture towards the crowd, leaving the moderator with a difficult task.

Photo: Jake Bellizzi

The Kazin–Times of Malta debate ultimately became the most-watched online debate of the campaign, despite featuring only one candidate in attendance.

Photo: Chris Sant Fourneir

In the final days of the campaign, parties held a series of mass meetings, including one in Ħamrun for the Labour Party at the Ħamrun Spartans stadium.

Photo: PL

The campaign concluded with large-scale festival-style events, featuring international DJs performing for crowds following the main political speeches. The Labour Party held its final mass festival at the Granaries in Floriana.

Photo: PN

The Nationalist Party gathered for their mass festival at Luxol.

Photo: Jonathan Borg

The campaign ended on an emotional note for Alex Borg and Sarah Bajada, who were visibly moved as they took in the crowd at Luxol.

Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Abela celebrated alongside PL deputy leader Alex Agius Saliba, incumbent deputy prime minister Ian Borg, and his wife Lydia at the conclusion of the Labour Party’s mass festival at the Granaries in Floriana.