'I can barely believe it', newly-elected MP Conrad Borg Manché says
Borg Manché, a former Labour mayor, was a late entry to the campaign on the PN ticket
Former Gżira mayor Conrad Borg Manché has vowed to fight for citizens, saying he could "barely believe" his strong performance, in his first comments since election results started trickling in.
Borg Manché appears to be one of the surprise winners of the election, performing strongly over two districts.
He was elected in district 5 and appears to be leading all candidates in the votes in district 10.
A late entry to the campaign race, Borg Manché was frequently trumpeted as one of PN’s star candidates in recent weeks, however, questions remained over how voters would respond to his candidature.
Speaking to Times of Malta, a beaming Borg Manché said he could “barely believe” the result. He said the outcome showed how voters had appreciated his past work.
“People know my track record,” he said. “They know I will fight for them to address the many challenges the district faces.”
Reflecting on his move to PN, Borg Manché said he had been approached by Alex Borg to join the party.
“Unfortunately, you cannot make many inroads as an independent candidate,” he said. “I can give a lot within PN, both for the party and for the country as a whole”.
Borg Manché first rose to national prominence in 2016 when, as a Labour mayor, he became one of the faces of the campaign for public access to the Manoel Island foreshore.
He had also gained admiration for his successful fight against plans for a fuel station in Gżira’s Council of Europe Garden.
However, he later fell out with the party, resigning altogether in 2023 and accusing Labour of betraying its socialist principles.
He contested the 2024 European Parliament and Gżira local council elections as an independent candidate, falling short in the former, and losing his mayorship in the latter.
While Borg Manché gained admirers for his stance on environmental issues, he also faced backlash from LGBTIQ+ activists over his comments on a performance featuring a drag performer during EuroPride 2023.
He was also criticised for his announcement, ahead of the EP election, that he would be joining the eurosceptic European Conservatives and Reformists grouping, were he to be elected.
In recent years, Borg Manché has turned his focus to family law, vowing to push for a reform to Malta’s family court.