Live: More PL proposals, discounted election flights and jobs-for-votes claims
Keep up to date on the 2026 general election campaign with our live blog regular updates
The government announced a third interconnector, the PN released more health proposals, and Momentum published an all-male candidate list on the third day of the campaign trail.
The election is in full swing, with political parties across the spectrum making their case to the electorate for why they should vote for them.
Times of Malta will be liveblogging throughout the day, so use this space to keep up-to-date on the latest election news.
Live blog
And that's a wrap
9.12pm: Day three brought more electoral pledges from PN, PL and Momentum, allegations of jobs being granted by government ministries in exchange for votes, and discounted air fares for Maltese voters living abroad.
Make sure you check our dedicated Election 2026 page for all the latest news about the campaign.
We'll be back on Friday, when the two major parties will host their much-anticipated May Day rallies: PL will be at Castille Square in Valletta while the PN will be in Lija. And we'll be at both events to report it all.
Middle East crisis: No other country called an election
8.47pm: The Opposition leader pointed out that Malta is one of the few, if not the only European country, to call a general election because of the Middle East crisis.
Read the full report here.
Party messages on government billboards
8.21pm: Meanwhile Alex Borg told his crowd in Għargħur that government billboards were being used to advertise the Labour Party's electoral messages. He also showed print-outs of the government adverts he claims are being emblazoned on civil service devices.
And here are two more ...
7.56pm: A PL government will extend the free gym scheme to those who suffer with Parkinson's and Alzheimers, among other conditions, and all children will be able to benefit from free swimming lessons.
We'll get you the full details in our report shortly.
Two new PL proposals for youths with disability
7.50pm: Robert Abela has just unveiled two new electoral pledges for disabled youths aged 18 and over: a personalised budget plan to help cover the costs of achieving their goals, and a €20,000 grant for first-time buyers with disabilities.
Early voting
7.19pm: Can't make it to the polling booth on May 30? You can cast your vote early on May 23 but you need to let the Electoral Commission know by noon on May 22. Early voting is possible for voters who will be abroad or in hospital on polling day.
Alex Borg arrives in Għargħur
7.09pm: Punctuality is not a strong point in this campaign, for either party. The PN leader has just arrived in Għargħur to kick off this evening's event.
Robert Abela arrives in Birgu, 50 mins late
6.52pm: And he's finally here. The PL leader has arrived in the Labour stronghold in his Range Rover to a loud cheer from the crowd.
He's already mic'd up and ready to go but is first making his way slowly through the throng of supporters, attempting to greet everyone in front of him before reaching the stage.
The women hit the campaign trail
6.29pm: Earlier today Robert Abela’s wife, Lydia, launched the “We Are” campaign to encourage women to be more present in public life.
The campaign highlights the reality of many women who constantly think, prepare, make decisions, and carry different responsibility throughout the day, in other words showing the kind of leadership qualities the country needs in public life.
Lydia Abela launching the "We are" campaign. Photo: PLThe crowds gather in Birgu
6.13pm: Our very own Emma Borg is in Birgu waiting for Robert Abela to arrive for this evening's PL activity. She says the majority of the crowd are over 50.
A group of 20 or so supporters of Glenn Bedingfield show up decked in red and start handing out free pens with candidates' names on it.
Emma spots the "fashion king" of the day, 75-year old Saviour Meli who arrives with the national flag draped over his shoulders. He proudly points out that the flag was signed by Robert Abela himself.
Saviour Meli sporting the national flag signed by Robert Abela himself. Photo: Emma BorgAlex Borg goes back to school
6.03pm: Earlier on Thursday, the PN leader went to the University of Malta to meet students and listen to their experiences, challenges and aspirations. He even found time for a quick game of pool.
He was accompanied by candidates Bernice Bonello, Eve Borg Bonello, Marilena Gauci, Frederick Aquilina and Joseph Grech.
Alex Borg taking a break on his campaigning at university. Photo: PNGot plans for this evening?
5.47pm: The two main parties continue their campaigning this evening with events in Birgu and Għargħur.
PL kick off with a "discussion" with Robert Abela in the main square in Birgu at 6pm.
PN leader Alex Borg will be joining candidates from the 9th district in Għargħur from 6.30pm.
Both events will be streamed live on their respective Facebook pages and we'll have our own Emma Borg and Jacob Borg reporting too.
PN accuses Labour of jobs-for-votes scheme
5:08pm In a separate press conference, Nationalist MP Adrian Delia accused Labour ministers of calling people and offering jobs in a bid to win votes.
“In a case I’m familiar with, one person received a call and was told he could start work on Monday and only bring his ID card and a pair of safety boots,” Delia told journalists during the conference.
Daniel Ellul was there to press on his claims. Read his report here.
Chris Fearne: PN health plans will take us back decades
4.07pm Hours after the PN unveiled more healthcare proposals, former health minister Chris Fearne told a Labour Party press conference that the plans will turn the clock back by two decades.
He said the proposals reflect an outdated model reliant on tertiary care, while the Labour government has worked to offer primary care within the community.
It's interesting that Fearne addressed the conference, and not the current health minister Jo Etienne Abela.
You can read more about the conference here.
Proposals from Momentum
3.53pm Momentum has just published five pledges from its manifesto.
On planning, Momentum wants a two-year moratorium on all new permits for buildings with ten or more floors. It also pledges to 'rebuild' the Planning Authority with independent planning experts who have no conflicts of interest.
A Momentum government would also introduce a vacant property tax that will apply to second residential properties onwards.
The party is also proposing a Public Integrity Act, under which the NAO will be empowered to examine every elected official's assets within 90 days of taking office and every year thereafter.
Another proposed legislation is an Open Malta Act which would force the government to publish information by default instead of waiting for someone to access it.
Election flights for €90
2.56pm Are you a Maltese expat listed on the electoral register? You will be able to benefit from a subsidised air fare with KM Malta Airlines if you travel between May 20 and June 3.
The special election fare is €90 return with taxes and charges in Economy Plus.
To make a travel reservation, you will have to call the dedicated KM Malta Airlines General Election Call Centre number +356 21418118.
Maltese living abroad who are eligible to vote in the elections can book a €90 return flight with KM Malta Airlines. File photo.Abela continues defending Galdes
2.33pm At the conference earlier, we also asked Robert Abela for the latest updates on Galdes's candidature.
However, Abela was cryptic about it. He said Galdes "placed the party's interests above his own" and left things at that.
Memes from the Green Party
2.15pm ADPD also engaged in politics-through-memes earlier. The party posted a ‘Buff Doge vs. Cheemes’ meme on their Facebook page to poke fun at the PN’s smartwatch grant pledge.
ADPD's Buff Doge vs. Cheemes memeADPD criticises Labour's 'Father Christmas-style campaign'
2.12pm ADPD published a brief statement criticising the “Father Christmas-style electoral campaign” that they say the Labour Party is adopting.
The party’s deputy secretary general Luke Caruana said Malta-Gozo connectivity cannot be reduced to headline numbers. Rather, the priority should be in ensuring that Gozitan commuters have a reliable and efficient access to the Gozo ferries.
ADPD’s chairperson Sandra Gauci also criticised the overdevelopment of the island, referring specifically to the airstrip project, which it said is a short-term goal and not a coherent vision. “ADPD in Parliament will insist that the Gozo airstrip plans are cancelled once and for all.”
Momentum calls out PA's Ġgantija approval
13.54pm Some of you might have already seen the news that the PA approved a controversial apartment block within the buffer zone of Ġgantija Temple in Xagħra.
So far, we have only seen Momentum react to the news. The party said it was a disgraceful approval that exposed deep flaws in the planning process.
Carmel Asciak, the party's Gozo candidate, said it is an "outright scandal" that poses the UNESCO World Heritage site at "real and immediate risk".
Afternoon round-up
13.16pm Feeling overwhelmed with all the headlines to catch up on? We have you covered.
Robert Abela announced during a government conference that Malta will build a third interconnector between Malta and Sicily. It will be part of a broader plan to diversify Malta’s energy supply and eventually turn the island into a Mediterranean clean energy hub.
What raised eyebrows is that the measure was announced during a government conference, and not a Labour Party event.
The Nationalist Party held a press conference elaborating on more health pledges. A PN in government would invest some €600 million in a hospitals network plan comprised of a new hospital in the north of Malta, an expanded Paola Health Hub, a new Gozo hospital and a “national health village”.
They also proposed a €300 grant to help 15-25-year-olds buy a smart watch.
Momentum got some flak for its all-men candidate list. The party defended itself by saying they have three women serving on its executive committee and others contributing as volunteers. It also criticised the gender mechanism that excludes women in third parties.
ADPD quickly reacted to the interconnector news and called it a “false promise”, insisting that renewables are the only credible long-term solution to security of energy supply.
Blurred lines between party and State
12.39pm At the energy conference, Neville Borg asked Robert Abela why this plan was announced during a government conference, and not a party event.
Abela said this plan has been in the works for months and the government felt it was important to launch it now, at a time of global instability.
Interconnector will cost €600 million
12.37pm We have some more details on the third connector being proposed.
Robert Abela confirmed that the third interconnector will cost €600 million, but he did not provide a timeline or say when it will start operating.
He said the government is focused on getting the second interconnector up and running by latest this time next year.
Team Alex on NET TV
12.16pm If you like a quick afternoon fix of news, NET TV will be offering a solution to that.
Starting next Monday, the Nationalist Party will be airing a new show on its TV station called ‘Team Alex’. It will be aired on 1:15pm everyday between Monday and Friday and will involve the party’s candidates.
Christian Micallef will be hosting Team AlexLeft think-tank wants better unionisation
11.55am Meanwhile, the left-wing think-tank Żminijietna has called on political parties to treat higher unionisation as a national priority.
The group said union membership is particularly low in sectors already marked by precarious conditions and weak worker representation.
They called on policymakers (whoever they might be after May 30) to "take bold and decisive action to strengthen workers’ rights".
Over €600 million in new hospitals over five years
11.22am We have some more details on how much the Nationalist Party wants to invest in building new hospitals.
A PN government would invest €350 million in a new Gozo hospital with a bed-count of 400.
To build a new hospital in the North of Malta, the PN will spend €160 million. Another €80 million will be invested to expand the Paola Hub.
The PN will put €20 million into a national health village aimed at prevention and rehabilitation.
Borg said the PN will do this within five years.
ADPD: Third interconnector is a ‘false promise’
11.11am ADPD have been quick to react to the government announcement of a third interconnector, calling such solutions a “false promise”.
While the party referred to connection with the European energy grid as “a must”, they also said it didn't necessarily mean cheap electricity.
The Green Party championed renewables as the “only credible long-term solution”.
Energy plan in a nutshell
10.45am Here is what we know so far about the government’s energy plans.
A third interconnector (IC3) between Malta and Sicily is being planned to complement the existing first interconnector and a second one that is still in the works. The IC3 will allow electricity to flow both ways, meaning Malta could import power when needed and export clean energy when market conditions are favourable.
Malta’s longer-term aim is to become a Mediterranean clean energy hub linking Europe and North Africa.
Neville Borg has the full details here.
Third energy connector
10.40am The lines are getting blurred between party and State this morning. Miriam Dalli has just revealed that the government will build a third interconnector between Malta and Sicily.
This doesn’t seem to be a Labour electoral pledge but a government plan on sustainable energy.
Dalli is giving an overview of the government's plan to shift towards more sustainable energy sources. More details to come soon.
A diagram of the short-to-long term energy measures released on Thursday€300 grant for smart watches
10.37am The PN also wants to incorporate sport into a national health policy. A PN government would create a Fit for Life policy aimed at 15–25-year-olds which would include a €300 grant to buy a smart watch. The activity you register on the watch can be redeemed for vouchers.
More health proposals from the PN
10.29am The Nationalist Party is focusing on their health pledges this morning. They’re promising to introduce care navigators, a just-in-time command centre, and a “digital front door” that brings patient records under one digital system.
Press conferences starting soon
10.20am Both the government and the Nationalist Party have started their morning press conferences. We will update this space with the most important details.
MoMENtum backlash
9.57am Momentum are getting backlash for their men-only candidate list, so we put the criticisms directly to them. This is their response:
“We would love to have candidates from all genders on our list. Unfortunately, there are bigger barriers in life which make it more difficult for women to take this step. It is worth noting that the gender mechanism is also intrinsically discriminatory because it excludes women of third parties and thus discourages them from being candidates.”
The party also pointed out that there are three women serving on its executive committee, and other women are contributing to the cause as volunteers.
Daniel Ellul has a full report here.
Clockwise from top left: Billy McBee, Matthew Agius, Mark Camilleri Gambin, Alastair Farrugia, Pierre Schembri Wismayer, Arnold Cassola and Carmel Asciak.Proposals at a glance
9.13am Both parties continued to make pledges yesterday, so here's a quick summary of what's been said.
Labour's pledges target first-time buyers, disability carers and students. The measure that really caught our attention is free Gozo ferry trips for all residents but only if you’re a pedestrian. In the evening, Robert Abela pledged to build an electricity “interconnector” between Malta and Gozo.
The PN first made a couple of maritime-related measure during a visit to a training centre. Alex Borg pledged that a PN in government would strengthen niche educational institutions and introduce subjects related to the maritime sector at secondary school level.
In the evening, Borg said a PN government would give students in the healthcare professions a stipend equivalent to the minimum wage and raise stipends to 25% for all other students in post-secondary education.
If you want a more comprehensive round-up of the day, take a look at our Election Desk. It's a daily digest of the major headlines of the day and some of the funnier moments of the campaign.
The agenda for the day
8.43am So far, we have a Nationalist Party conference scheduled for 10am where they are expected to explain or propose new health-related pledges.
Meanwhile, we've received a press call for the same time, but this one comes from official government channels. It seems Robert Abela is going to present a "sustainable power transition plan" at the Xara Lodge.
Momentum publishes full candidate list
8.31am Momentum have kicked off the day's proceedings by announcing its list of candidates. The party is fielding seven candidates it described as being from diverse backgrounds, with each contesting in two districts.
The candidates are: Valletta activist Billy McBee, geophysicist Matthew Agius, software engineer and party secretary general Mark Camilleri Gambin, mathematician Alastair Farrugia, Pierre Schembri-Wismayer, Momentum chairperson Arnold Cassola and treasurer Carmel Asciak.