Day 2: Alex Borg's plan to boost healthcare, Abela vows 100 Gozo proposals
Keep up to date on the 2026 general election campaign with our live blog regular updates
Alex Borg promised tax cuts and stipend boosts to improve Malta's healthcare, as Robert Abela pitched free Gozo ferry trips for pedestrians as part of Labour's "100 proposals" for Gozitans.
Day two of the 2026 general election campaign saw the Nationalist Party promise a five-year income tax holiday to Maltese healthcare experts who move back to Malta from overseas, no permit fees for third-country national nurses and doctors to come to Malta, and major stipend boosts for healthcare-focused students.
Robert Abela pledged free Gozo Channel ferry trips for pedestrians, increased stipends and a doubled allowance for carers of people with disability. He also promised to revamp Gozitan schools and develop a new undersea electricity cable linking Gozo to Malta.
ADPD unveiled its candidates while Momentum - which got its confiscated banners back from the Cleansing Department - announced a leading researcher will be running on its ticket.
As it happened
Live blog ends
9.53pm That's all for today. Thank you for joining us. My colleagues will be keeping you informed tomorrow.
Here's what the PN pledged
9.50pm We detailed some of Alex Borg's healthcare-focused proposals in earlier entries. Matthew Bonanno was in Mellieħa and has the full story.
Read his report of the PN event.
Awkward
9.20pm Earlier today, the Labour Party published a video of its fourth district candidates speaking while jointly campaigning in Fgura.
But the party left one of those candidates out, even though she was also part of the walkabout.
Katya De Giovanni was forced to post a comment beneath her party's video and publish her own video encouraging voters to keep her in mind.
Katya De Giovanni had to leave a comment after she was left out of her party's video.Five years tax-free for healthcare expats
8.55pm Alex Borg is making a pitch to Maltese healthcare expats – specialists, consultants, and specialised nurses.
He wants them to come back home, and he says a PN government will ensure their first five years back in Malta will be tax-free.
As for non-EU doctors and nurses: the PN says such workers will have all permit fees eliminated.
Big stipend bump for healthcare-focused students
8.53pm More from PN: Alex Borg says students of various healthcare-focused courses will get a stipend equivalent to the minimum wage. He also promised that all other students in post-secondary classes will see their stipend rise by 25%, a measure to encourage more young people to follow tertiary education.
Alex Borg pledges 25% stipend increase
8.45pm Alex Borg has one-upped Labour by promising students a 25% stipend increase. Earlier today, Robert Abela promised them a 15% bump.
What did Abela promise in Gozo?
8.14pm Earlier, we touched on some of the pledges Robert Abela made to a Gozitan crowd. Daniel Ellul has a more thorough report of the Labour leader's address.
Robert Abela in Sannat. Photo: Chris Sant FournierAlex Borg to also contest 12th
7.45pm Alex Borg tells the Mellieħa crowd that he will also be on their ballot; he will be running on the 12th district as well his native Gozo (13).
He says he feels a closeness, particularly to Mellieħa, where he and his family used to have lunch in his younger days when they crossed to Malta.
Alex Borg speaking in Mellieha. Photo: Jonathan BorgWatch Alex Borg in Mellieħa
7.25pm The PN's event in Mellieħa is about to begin. Watch it live in the video below.
'A new interconnector to Gozo'
7.19pm Abela tells the Sannat crowd that a new Labour government will build a new undersea electricity cable linking Gozo to Malta – a €45 million project Abela calls “an interconnector between Malta and Gozo.”
He also pledges to modernise all schools in Gozo by the end of the next legislature and to fix 100 residential roads in Gozo over the coming three years.
And he then repeats pledges previously made, such as adding two new Gozo Channel ferries.
Abela pledges '100 proposals for Gozo'
7.06pm Abela says Labour's manifesto will have 100 proposals for Gozo that build on the focus of creating high-value jobs on the island while safeguarding the "island of villages" concept it has advanced.
'I've been very impressed so far'
7pm Matthew Bonnano had a chat with another couple of people attending Alex Borg's Mellieħa gathering (which has yet to start).
Mellieħa residents Mary Anne and her daughter Michelle said they did not attend Tuesday's PN rally due to the difficulty of getting out of Mellieħa by bus right now due to roadworks.
"I've been very impressed with the proposals so far," said Mary Anne.
They'd like to see proposals focused on traffic.
"We need to prioritise realistic solutions instead of pie-in-the-sky projects," said Michelle.
"It's useless proposing anything when the number of cars on the roads is constantly increasing. That's the first thing that needs to be tackled," agreed Mary Anne.
Watch Robert Abela in Sannat
6.50pm Labour's event in Sannat, Gozo is about to begin. Follow it using the video below.
First and Ninth Imperium
6.41pm Yesterday, we told you right-wing party Imperium will feature in a general election for the first time in a generation. Party leader Eman Cross today said he will contest the first and ninth districts.
Over in Mellieha
6.36pm Over to Mellieha, where Alex Borg is due to host a PN event. People are slowly gathering there, too, though there are still a good number of empty seats.
The PN event will also see some of its candidates giving brief speeches ahead of Borg. We're told candidates Ray Gatt, Paul Mazzola, Stephen Spiteri and Ian Vassallo will all feature.
Matthew Bonanno asked an attendee, Maria, what she thought of the campaign so far.
"There hasn't been much information so far, from both parties, although it is still the beginning. I'm hoping he [Alex Borg] will announce something more substantial this afternoon," she said.
The PN setting up its event in Mellieha. Photo: Matthew BonannoDid you know?
6.20pm Labour supporters are gathering in Sannat square, where Robert Abela will be speaking in what is being dubbed an "interview" by Melissa Vella Buhagiar.
Party candidates Fleur Abela, Keith Azzopardi and Anthony Agius Decelis will all give a short speech tonight, our correspondent Daniel Ellul tells me. But none of the three are running in Gozo, because the PL has a rule that bars candidates from featuring in events in their own districts.
People gathered in Sannat. Photo: Daniel EllulReminder: Manoel Island debate tonight
6pm Alex Borg and Robert Abela will both address crowds this evening, pushing their respective party's vision for the next legislature.
But there's something else on the agenda, too: Lands Minister Owen Bonnici will be grilled on the Manoel Island deal with MIDI, starting at 7pm.
Bonnici will face questions from Jon Mallia in the latest episode of Il-KAŻIN x Times of Malta, a monthly debate show jointly organised by the good people at Il-KAŻIN and us.
You can watch it live - and vote on Bonnici's motion - on YouTube. We'll be running it on our website, of course.
Owen Bonnici will be in the Il-KAŻIN x Times of Malta hot seat at 7pm.Abela's Gozo plan?
4.56pm Robert Abela will be speaking in Sannat this evening, in what the Labour Party is calling an 'interview'.
Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri has encouraged party supporters to show up, saying he expects the PM to use the event to reveal more about his "plan for Gozo". That event begins at 6pm.
Alex Borg's maritime plan
4.05pm A PN government would seek to raise the maritime sector's contribution to the economy, Alex Borg said on Wednesday as he visited Maritime MT, a Maritime Training Centre.
"This sector can not only contribute far more strongly to our economy, but can also offer exciting, high-quality jobs to Maltese workers," the PN leader was quoted as saying in a party statement.
Alex Borg expanded on the party's plans for the maritime sector in a video uploaded to social media.
Labour's second presser
3.50pm While we were guessing where the PN was, two Labour MPs were pitching their party as the only credible choice. They also tried to cast doubt on whether a PN in government would keep energy subsidies in place.
Nicole Meilak has the full report.
Galdes meets Abela
3.10pm Former minister Roderick Galdes had a private meeting with the prime minister on Wednesday and said later that he did not know yet whether he would be an election candidate.
Labour's executive voted against Galdes' candidacy this week but Galdes said he was contesting the decision and wanted the vote retaken.
See what he told Daniel Ellul after his meeting with Robert Abela.
PN candidate's banner vandalised
2.55pm Frank Tabone, a former police superintendent turned lawyer and PN candidate, says a banner of his was vandalised in Xlendi.
Tabone will be running on the 13th district alongside party leader Alex Borg. Other PN candidates in the district include Norma Camilleri, Beppe Galea and Luke Said.
Did Alex Borg dodge the media?
2.40pm Earlier, we wondered where Alex Borg was.
It appears he was meeting a local maritime training company.
The PN issued no press call for the event: we only got to know about the visit when PN media reported it.
We're told the party will be issuing a press release about the event and its proposals for the maritime sector.
PN media reported Alex Borg's visit.Momentum files its accounts
2.32pm Momentum has submitted its first audited financial statements to the Electoral Commission, covering the year ended 31 December 2025. Momentum closed 2025 with a surplus of €4,531, total funds of €4,531 in its first year, and zero debt. The party’s revenue of €6,916 came entirely from membership fees and small individual donations from the general public.
The party says it has no corporate donations and no hidden benefactors.
Agius Saliba denies he plans to run
2.25pm Labour MEP and deputy leader Alex Agius Saliba has punched back at media reports that alleged he was eyeing a sixth district bid. The report claimed Agius Saliba was keen to fill a gap vacated by Roderick Galdes being barred from contesting.
But the MEP says he has no intention of contesting, calling the report “a complete lie”.
Labour MPs speak
2.10pm Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi and Amanda Spiteri Grech are speaking at a Labour Party press conference. Watch it live in the video below.
Labour press conference at 2pm
1.25pm Labour have called a news conference for 2pm – their second of the day. This one will see MPs Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi and Amanda Spiteri Grech speak.
Zrinzo Azzopardi is an interesting choice, given he’s previously said he’s not running. Unless, that is, he’s had a change of heart.
Why so quiet, Alex?
12.55pm It’s lunchtime on day two of the electoral campaign and in the past hours we’ve heard from every political party contesting the election, bar one.
What’s the PN up to?
Aħwa Maltin party to run
12.40pm Anti-immigration party Aħwa Maltin (Maltese brothers) has said it will field candidates in all electoral districts.
The party, founded by Paul Salomone as Partit Popolari in 2020 and rebranded last year, is campaigning on a platform of national Maltese identity and a focus on the ‘traditional’ family.
“While the PN and PL work together to maintain their duopoly, Aħwa Maltin will be present in every district. Maltese deserve a true choice,” party secretary Iris Vella said.
Some cheeky advertising
12.25pm A local electronics store is leaning into the electoral campaign with a rather derivative mock billboard. Though would overexposed motorists even see it?
We’re just two days in but my eyes are already glazing over at the sight of that ‘Int Malta’ pink.
ADPD announces its candidates
12.10pm ADPD has announced its candidates, and the party has decided to field a candidate in each of the 13 electoral districts.
As part of a deal with Momentum, the two parties will encourage their voters to also vote for the other party's candidate(s) in their district.
Party chairperson Sandra Gauci said: “Our candidates are committed to Green and progressive principles, working for the common good and for a wellbeing and a better quality of life.”
See the full list of ADPD candidates by district here.
Il-Wefi calls it a day
11.32am We've added another name to our growing list of MPs not contesting the election. Veteran Labour politician Chris Agius has confirmed he is retiring, ending a 30-year parliamentary career. Read the full story.
Chris Agius is retiring from politics.Momentum gets its banners back
11.12am The Cleansing Department has returned Momentum banners it seized on Monday, following a public outcry.
Meanwhile, the party has also replaced those banners with new ones funded by party supporters who contributed to a crowdfunding initiative after that seizure.
Abelanomics?
11am Economists generally agree that demand-side subsidies (like giving property buyers money or grants) encourage price inflation, as suppliers tend to increase prices as grants come into play.
But the prime minister has a different take. Labour’s promise to loan first-time buyers 25% of their property value could be deflationary, he argues.
“Developers who have properties listed at prices just above the threshold may decide to lower those valuations to attract these buyers,” the prime minister told journalists.
Robert Abela speaking at the Wednesday morning press conference. Photo: PLFree pedestrian trips on Gozo Channel
10.45am Labour is promising to make Gozo Channel trips free, provided you don't bring your vehicle with you.
Abela says that will be complemented with more - and more frequent - buses in Gozo and will entice more people to cross to Gozo without their car.
Gozitans who use the fast ferry for work or study purposes are to have their annual grant increased to €800 (from €650).
A Gozo Channel ferry at the Mġarr Harbour in Gozo. Photo: Matthew MirabelliMore money for disability carers
10.38am Yesterday, Labour promised free therapy for children with disabilities. Now they’ve announced a couple of more proposals targeting such parents:
- Carers' grant to double and match the minimum wage
- Parents who care for children with a disability to keep paying income tax at parent rates until children are 23 (or forever in cases of severe disability)
More pitches to first-time buyers
10.35am Labour has a few more proposals targeting first-time property buyers:
- Stamp duty exemption to rise to first €300,000 in property value (up from €200,000).
- 10% deposit scheme to apply to properties valued up to €300,000 (up from €250,000).
- First-time buyers to get a €1,200 refund on notarial fees.
Carrots for student-voters
10.30am Labour is promising a €1,000 grant to students who go abroad on an Erasmus trip - and is saying they will bump stipends up by an extra 15% over-and-above the 15% increase they announced in the last Budget speech.
Watch Robert Abela
10.25am Robert Abela is addressing a press conference in Ta' Qali.
Watch it live in the video below.
Galdes: 'I didn't want to leave people hanging'
9.58am Emma Borg spoke with Roderick Galdes this morning to get some more clarity on that apparent campaign video he posted this morning.
Galdes explained that he did not want to leave his supporters hanging as it was a pre-planned event.
“I’m still waiting for the process of my complaint to play out,” he said. Galdes also confirmed he intends to remain active within the Labour Party irrespective of how this all pans out.
How do they know?
9.40am A reader who lives abroad has just forwarded us an email that appears to have been sent by the Labour Party about "travel arrangements for voters residing abroad".
The email doesn't say much other than "we'll keep you posted", but it's an indication of how the well-oiled Labour machine is operating.
An email received by a reader yesterday.Shiny new police cars
9.12am I saw a fleet of shiny new police cars driving into Cottonera as I headed to work this morning. I wondered what was up; then I saw Byron Camilleri post a teaser photo of them, asking his followers: "What do you think we will announce today?"
Meanwhile, Labour has called a press conference for 10am in Ta' Qali.
A defiant Galdes
9.07am Roderick Galdes is not taking Labour's rejection lying down; he's shared a video of himself speaking to supporters and telling them Robert Abela has spoken highly of him and talking up his electoral record.
Is this going to get messy for Labour?
Imperium cries foul
8.48am Right-wing party Imperium says its Instagram account has been suspended. The screenshot they include suggests it's because they posted things in violation of Meta's "community standards on account integrity."
"This is the only way our enemies can try to stop us," they say.
Prof. Schembri-Wismayer to run for Momentum
8.40am Quite a coup for the young party: Professor Pierre Schembri-Wismayer will be contesting the election under the Momentum ticket, the party said.
Schembri-Wismayer teaches Anatomy and Cell Biology at the University of Malta and is a leading science educator and researcher. We still don't know which districts he will be contesting.
Momentum chair Arnold Cassola said: “We are honoured that Prof. Schembri-Wismayer has opted to join our team of highly motivated, talented and honest candidates and committee members in the forthcoming electoral campaign. His academic prowess, experience and high ethical standards add further lustre and prestige to the history of our young political party”.