Editorial: The choices Malta cannot avoid

Despite its chronic problems, Malta enters 2026 in relatively good shape, particularly when set against a turbulent global backdrop. Political stability has largely held; employment and the economy remain strong. 

There were also signs of a more engaged public. Environmental awareness and civic activism gained ground, and it was encouraging to see a shift in direction on sites such as Manoel Island, Fort Tigné and White Rocks. Public pressure still works, though it requires more than online outrage to bring about change.

At the same time, 2025 exposed the limits of an economic model overly reliant on labour expansion and construction. Attempts to force through questionable planning reforms, the sale of Malta to the highest bidder and the persistent corruption reports point to a government too often driven by short-term expediency rather than principled leadership.

None of Malta’s biggest problems will disappear in 2026. Population growth, traffic congestion and relentless construction continue to impact quality of life and fuel public frustration. In reality nobody has a magic wand.

At the very least, the coming year must mark the beginning of credible mitigation. Initiatives to reduce traffic largely remain trapped in reports and presentations. The government must also acknowledge that the ‘carrot’ alone has failed. Disincentives, enforcement and firm regulation – the ‘stick’ – are unavoidable. 

Equally troubling is the creeping normalisation of rhetoric and tactics imported from abroad, particularly on human rights. Malta’s quiet acceptance of pushbacks to Libya, coupled with the government’s mixed signals where it comes to long-established human rights conventions, signals a dangerous moral retreat that should concern anyone who believes in rule of law.

Containment is, of course, important – the Malta Migration Policy introduced in 2025 was a necessary step towards addressing unsustainable population growth. But it must not come at the expense of essential services, particularly in sectors such as healthcare and care work that depend on foreign labour. Nor should the government give in to right-wing voices that thrive on fear, scapegoating and xenophobia.

All this unfolds against the fact 2026 is Malta’s pre-election year, or possibly the year voters are called to the polls. History suggests this is when populism, patronage and inward-looking tactics intensify. More jobs for party loyalists and a softer hand towards law-breaking are easy predictions. That such expectations need to be stated at all is absurd.

Yet, we are living in absurd and dangerous times. We are fast drifting into a global vortex of misinformation, scams and manipulation, with social media and artificial intelligence posing unprecedented risks. Awareness of these dangers cannot be left to chance; it must be built through education, regulation and accountability. 

On foreign policy, Malta’s recognition of a Palestinian state was a principled, albeit, overdue, step. It should be matched by a clearer and more vocal stance against international crimes, particularly when driven by leaders like Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin or Donald Trump.

The opposition, too, faces a defining year. The excitement around new leadership must translate into substance. Voters will eventually look beyond optics and social media performance and will want clarity on values, policy and credible alternatives. Perhaps most worrying is the growing disengagement of citizens from politics altogether. While the apathy is understandable, 2026 is when judgements begin to form. No party should win by default. Malta needs politicians willing to stick their necks out for the common good rather than short-term gain. 

But it also needs citizens prepared to reflect on their own choices: how we live, what we prioritise, and whether we value well-being and shared responsibility over profit and selfishness. 

The alternative is a passive drift into a global race to the bottom.