Live blog: PN has a plan for Hurd's Bank as Labour takes the ferry
Follow events from day eight of the 2026 general election campaign
Alex Borg has promised Marsaxlokk residents he will get rid of the offshore LNG tanker that has been docked there for more than a decade, while Robert Abela inaugurated a new fast ferry route while noting another is on the way.
Day eight of the 2026 general election campaign began with the leaders of both major parties casting their gazes offshore, to Malta's seas.
The Nationalist Party presented its plan of turning Malta into a Mediterranean maritime hub, with an LNG terminal at Hurd's Bank pumping gas to the Delimara power station.
Abela and his transport minister, Chris Bonett, inaugurated a new fast ferry route linking Sliema, Bugibba and Gozo and said work to add Marsascala to the fast ferry network was proceeding at a good pace.
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Live blog
Another carrot from PL ...
10.07pm: It may be almost past many people's bedtime (and judging by the tired eyes of the young PL supporters in Birgu, many are dreaming of their beds right now), but Robert Abela is not done with his announcements for Tuesday.
Here's another one: he's just told the Labour Youths that "in the coming days" he will announce "the best foreign investment in the history of our country in a sector that is value added".
Three more proposals from Momentum
9.43pm: This election is not just a two-horse race. Momentum has vowed to “clean up” political party finance if elected to Parliament.
The small party wants to introduce transparent state funding for political parties with full financial disclosure and tied to “meaningful” civic engagement.
It also pledged to introduce mandatory full disclosure of all party donations with enforceable caps on contributions and an automatic lifetime ban from public office for anyone convicted of corruption.
“The same handful of businessmen write cheques to both parties and then collect favours from whichever one wins. This is not democracy,” says Carmel Asciak, Momentum’s candidate in districts 12 and 13.
“If elected to represent them in Parliament, Momentum candidates will make sure to build a system that works for everyone.”
One more event ...
9.13pm: Robert Abela's long day on the campaign trail is not over yet. After Siġġiewi, he headed straight to Birgu to join the Labour Youths as they launch their campaign.
The most important election. Ever. Or is it?
7.53pm: Has there ever been an election when the parties didn’t say it was do or die? Robert Abela just repeated that often used line: “Never has there been a more important election”.
He then continues with another line we have heard before:
“All the forces (whatever they may be) are against us ....This is the most difficult election this government has ever had to face”.
Accompanying a patient abroad? PL has got you covered
7.43pm: So now we understand the reason behind that "Gianni" anecdote. Here's the second pledge from the PL this evening: a re-elected Labour government would cover all costs for a person accompanying an adult patient receiving medical treatment abroad. This will be implemented "soon after the election".
Currently parents of children under 18 receiving medical treatment abroad have their costs covered by the government. This scheme would be extended to a person accompanying an adult patient abroad.
First-time buyers benefits for divorced or separated couples
7.34pm: More pledges from the PL. Robert Abela has just promised that divorced or separated couples who had bought a property together will be eligible to first-time buyers' benefits when they buy a property individually.
"Those of you who are separated or divorced need to begin life anew. Usually a couple sells the matrimonial home and then each person looks to buy a property separately. The government will be there for you as well," Abela said.
They will benefit from first-time buyer tax exemptions. Currently first-time buyers do not pay tax on the first €200,000 on the property price. PL has already proposed to extend that figure to €300,000.
Gianni's medical bills
7.22pm: Incumbent health minister Jo Etienne Abela has told the crowd in Siġġiewi how the government had stepped in to help "Gianni" with his exorbitant medical bills when his insurance dried up after he was hospitalised abroad.
Abela said "Gianni" had to pay over $10,000 in ambulance fees and over $200,000 for four days in the ITU. He did not want to reveal which country this was. I wonder which country has exorbitant medical fees and uses the dollar?
He used the anecdote to remind the crowd how the Gozo General Hospital now has all the latest technology to handle any medical emergency.
Alex in Attard
7.19pm: Couldn't make it to Attard for the PN leader's event this evening? Join him here:
Campaign on wheels
7.07pm: The two major politica parties have taken their campaign on the road. Literally.
The Labour Party has unveiled a souped-up trailer named Il-Vjaġġ Tiegħek (Your Journey) which will tour around local towns, "listening to and consulting the electorate" .
It's all very reminiscent of the Ċittadin Mobil (Citizen's Bus) used in the 1996 campaign by Alfred Sant and the Coach tal-Bidla (Coach of Change) in 2008.
The PL touring truck. Photo: Chris Sant FournierMeanwhile, the PN is taking Dar Ċentrali on the road with a renovated bus that has been transformed into a fancy mobile office complete with a waiting area.
Robert Abela in Siġġiewi
6.51pm: A bit later than officially announced, but here is Robert Abela in Siġġiewi's main square.
The evening shows begin
6.22pm: After a day of press conferences, the party leaders continue campaigning this evening.
Robert Abela is in Siġġiewi at the moment and then he will head to Birgu for the launch of the Labour Youths campaign.
Alex Borg will be in Attard to introduce the candidates of District 11.
And of course, Times of Malta will be there to report it all.
Chris Fearne's comeback
6pm: The former deputy prime minister and health minister Chris Fearne has just announced he will be contesting the election again on Districts 3 and 4.
Fearne resigned from Cabinet in 2024 following fraud charges related to the hospitals deal.
'Omar is an asset for all Maltese’
5.27pm: The Imam Mohammad Elsadi has come out in defence of PL prospective candidate Omar Rababah, insisting he would be “an asset for all Maltese”.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the Imam, who is the head of the Muslim community in Malta, said Rababah does not stand for Muslims “but for all Maltese people irrespective of their Faith”.
He added he believed Rababah “has enough qualifications” to be a candidate for the general election.
“He doesn’t stand for imposing Islamic Culture as some narrow minded people claim but for human rights, equality, justice, mutual respect for diversity and harmonious coexistence.”
What 'populist' measures?
4.53pm: PL has hit back at the Chamber's accusations of "populist" measures being dished out during the electoral campaign so far, insisting it will consult social partners, like it always did, before implementing any of its promises - including that famous €1,000 “super bonus”.
Andy Ellul explained it all during this afternoon's press confernece.
Is there a doctor at the rally?
4.27pm: When you're the incumbent health minister but you're also a doctor, your services are always needed.
Jo Etienne Abela donned his medical cap at Labour's May Day rally outside Castille last Friday when a supporter started feeling unwell. A consultant surgeon before entering politics, Abela tended to the stricken supporter until further medical assistance arrived.
Prevention is better
4.24pm: Back to the schools. Not only did the PN pledge to “build a new school every year”, but it will also begin a “continuous preventative maintenance system” to ensure schools “don’t end up in the bad state they are now”.
A three-phase plan would be implemented to ensure Junior College and the Higher Secondary get the maintenance needed, to bring them up to par with the University and MCAST.
Schembri also called for the curriculum to be updated.
'Don't be afraid'
4.16pm: PN's spokesperson for youth, Bernice Bonello, said young people feel "scared" to go to entertainment venues . And so do their parents, apparently.
“Because of the way this country has developed we are seeing some fear around some places.”
She did not specify which places and what the fear exactly is, but she did remind the youth that the party is by their side, they shouldn’t feel frightened, and to remain in their country because ”Malta and Gozo is your country.”
A new school every year
3.42pm: Another bold promise from the PN, this time regarding education. Justin Schembri, who serves as the party's education spokeperson, has just said that a Nationalist government would build a new school every year.
But we've heard this before ... during the last Nationalist legislature (2008-2013), under then prime minister Lawrence Gonzi, this was the PN's plan.
Another press conference from the PN
3.17pm: The PN is holding its second press conference of the day, this time hosted by Justin Schembri, Bernice Bonello and new candidate Joseph Grech on quality of life.
PN reaction on Rababah 'not enough'
2.53pm: Rosianne Cutajar told journalists at the end of Labour's news conference she was "deeply disappointed" that the PN had not proactively condemned the racist attacks on prospective PL candidate Omar Rababah.
She said that while the PL is open to everyone, irrespective of their religious beliefs, the PN was not.
On Sunday the PN told Times of Malta they condemend "all forms of racist comments, personal attacks and hate, as well as remarks that discriminate on the basis of religion or gender and undermine respect for the individual”.
The Green Party on the blue economy
2.45pm: ADPD suggested maritime policy should be managed by a dedicated secretariat or ministry which would lead to better management of the “blue economy”.
In a press conference on maritime policy and mobility, the Green Party also insisted Malta should be “at the forefront” of maritime debates and push for regulations against sea pollution, and safeguarding sustainable fishing.
They also argued public access to the coastline should be protected through effective laws.
Moving on to the mobility “crisis”, ADPD called for a “modal shift” in mentality with public transport as the “backbone” of the country’s mass transport strategy. It has long believed a Bus Rapid Transit System with dedicated lanes, could be the answer.
Electoral Commission considers extending election flights
2.34pm We asked the Electoral Commission if they would consider the PN's proposal to extend subsidised flights to other airlines.
A spokesperson said it would discuss the proposal over the next few days. It pointed out that the decision does not solely lie with the Electoral Commission.
Read the full story here.
Labour's press conference underway
2.15pm: And here is the link to Andy Ellul and Rosianne Cutajar’s press conference about proposals for the family. We’ll be bringing you a full report shortly.
PN wants election flights extended to other airlines
1.47pm The election flights saga continues and the PN has come up with a solution. It wants the subsidised flight arrangement to be extended to other airlines.
We've received calls and messages from readers abroad saying they are struggling to book flights with KM Malta Airlines through the dedicated hotline. The PN says other voters have reported flights being booked out already.
"No one should be deprived of their democratic right to vote in a general election, and the Partit Nazzjonalista expects the Electoral Commission, whose duty it is to ensure that those who wish to vote are given every possible opportunity to do so, to take immediate action in this regard," it said.
Labour's first press call
1.09pm We've got the first official Labour press call of the day. Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul and MP Rosianne Cutajar will address the media at around 2pm.
Momentum: KM Malta hotline 'not fit for purpose'
12.25pm Momentum says the hotline set up by KM Malta Airlines for overseas-based voters to fly home to vote is “not fit for purpose”.
Earlier today, we reported the story of one frustrated voter who had to dial the telephone hotline 44 times to get through. We’ve since received other reports of similar stories – though another, France-based voter told us he managed to get through without any issues this morning.
“In 2026, voters should reasonably expect the option to book such essential travel online, through a transparent and reliable system,” Momentum said in a statement.
It called on the airline to introduce an online booking system for election flights, ensure enough staff to man hotlines and give voters clear information about how to access these services.
More on the PN's plan for Hurd's Bank
11.45am Earlier, Alex Borg unveiled the PN's proposal to shift the LNG tanker out of Marsaxlokk bay, develop an LNG terminal at Hurd's Bank and turn Malta into a Mediterranean bunkering hub.
Read our full report about that plan.
Vote documents incoming
11.12am Police officers have started distributing voting documents. They'll be criss-crossing the country for the next 10 days, until May 15, knocking on doors between 8am and 1pm and again between 3pm and 9pm.
Buġibba bus to link to ferry
10.58am Chris Bonett is just announcing a new circular bus around Bugibba, coordinated with fast ferry times.
Not on the guest list
10.48am Meanwhile, the mayor of St Paul's Bay, who happens to be a Nationalist, won't be among those greeting the new ferry. "I only attend where I am invited," wrote Ċensu Galea on Facebook, where he also questioned whether parking issues have been properly considered.
Ferry live
10.42am The new Gozo-Buġibba-Sliema ferry launches today. Over on Robert Abela's Facebook page, there's a live stream of its maiden voyage.
Y-Plate drivers feel left out
10.37am Y-Plate drivers operating for companies like Bolt and Uber are feeling left out of the pre-electoral promise bonanza.
“What about us?” they have asked through their lobby group, the LPOA.
“While others receive tax cuts and benefits, we are being pushed further down. Sole operators, those earning under €35,000 a year, are now being forced to pay €1,260 annually in VAT. Not on our income... but on the profits of massive app companies operating from abroad."
Alex Borg: Our €60m PV plan is doable
10.30am The PN leader is asked where the party intends to place €60m worth of PV panels.
"We have done all our studies. It is costed. It is very doable, it is very feasible, he says. "There is enough non-arable land for it to happen – we have parking lots, government buildings and other land we will reveal in the future."
Alex Borg: No more gas tanker at Marsaxlokk
10.09am Alex Borg says the Hurds Bank terminal will also allow the PN to move the tanker supplying LNG to the Electogas power station offshore. The tanker is currently in Marsaxlokk.
PN proposes offshore LNG terminal
10.05am Alex Borg has pledged to develop an offshore LNG terminal at Hurds Bank if elected.
Borg says this terminal, together with the PN's broader plan to turn Malta into a Mediterranean maritime hub, will generate €450 million within three years, without adding any infrastructural or population pressures to Malta.
Alex Borg speaking on the economy
10am Alex Borg is speaking at a PN press conference.
Watch it in the video below.
Joseph Muscat: 'Where will PN's panels fit?'
9.45am Former PM Joseph Muscat's first take of the election campaign concerns the PN's €60m plan to cover state buildings in solar panels.
Muscat is dismissive of the PN's financial calculations - "I think Wall Street still hasn't heard of an investment that returns 50% a year" - and argues that there just isn't enough room to fit €60m worth of photovoltaic panels.
"€60m worth of panels requires two million square metres of roof space. That's 150 times the Floriana Granaries," he argues.
Clint Azzopardi Flores running for Labour
9.30am Here's one that slipped past me. Economist and former MEP candidate Clint Azzopardi Flores has thrown his hat into the ring; he'll be running for Labour on districts 2 and 9.
How many calls is a trip to Malta worth?
9.10am One Maltese migrant has detailed the frustrating process before she was able to book her €90 election flight.
She managed to get through to the election flight hotline after making, wait for it, 44 calls.
Abela heads to Buġibba
9.05am Robert Abela, prime minister, will this morning inaugurate the new fast ferry service linking Sliema, Buġibba and Gozo.
The ferry was originally due to launch last summer but was delayed by tender objections. But today's inauguration is ill-timed, given Robert Abela is also Labour leader.
It's the sort of event that would be forbidden in many other democracies, which forbid ministers from making announcements or decisions that could influence voters.
PN calls press conference
8.50am Good morning and welcome to this live blog.
The Nationalist Party will hold a press conference at 9.30am focused on "the economy".