As the sun sets over the Grandmaster’s Palace in Valletta, the political scene of Malta is bathed in a new light. The cast for the 2023 general election is complete, with party leaders having announced their candidates for all 13 districts. But who are the new faces, and what do they bring to the table?

This election is shaping up to be a generational one, with a fresh crop of candidates eager to make their mark. The Labour Party (PL) has fielded several new faces, including 25-year-old lawyer and human rights activist, Yanika Grech, who will be contesting in the 12th District. Grech, a relative newcomer to politics, brings a youthful energy and a strong social conscience to the table.

Meanwhile, the Nationalist Party (PN) has welcomed back some familiar faces, but also introduced new blood. Among them is 34-year-old entrepreneur and former PN youth activist, David Agius, who will be contesting in the 11th District. Agius, who runs a successful tech startup, brings a business acumen and a digital savvy that could appeal to Malta’s tech-savvy youth.

While there’s a definite youthful buzz around this election, the veterans of Maltese politics are far from ready to step down. Both PL leader Robert Abela and PN leader Bernard Grech have confirmed they will be contesting their respective seats in the 12th and 13th Districts.

Abela, who took over the PL leadership in 2020, has been steering the party through choppy waters, navigating the fallout from the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia and the subsequent revelations of the Panama Papers. Grech, on the other hand, has been working to rebuild the PN after their historic defeat in the 2017 election, focusing on issues like corruption and the economy.

With the cast now set, the focus shifts to the issues that will define this election. Top of the list is the economy, with both parties promising growth and job creation. The PN has been critical of the government’s handling of the economy, accusing them of mismanagement and excessive spending. The PL, meanwhile, points to their track record of economic success, with Malta consistently topping the EU’s growth charts.

Another hot topic is corruption. The PN has made the fight against corruption a central plank of their manifesto, promising to strengthen institutions and increase transparency. The PL, for their part, point to their record in office, including the establishment of the Office of the Ombudsman and the introduction of stricter anti-money laundering laws.

The environment is also set to be a key issue. Both parties have pledged to take action on climate change, with the PL promising to invest in renewable energy and the PN pledging to protect Malta’s natural heritage. However, with Malta ranked as one of the worst performers in the EU on climate action, there’s a lot of work to be done.

As the campaign gets underway, expect to see these issues, and more, debated in the streets, on social media, and in the halls of Parliament. The stage is set, the cast is ready, and the curtain is about to rise on Malta’s political theatre.

With the candidates announced, the next step is the official launch of the campaign. Both parties have already started their preparations, with rallies and events planned across the country. The official campaign period will begin on February 15, with election day set for March 26.

So, buckle up, Malta. The election season is upon us, and it’s set to be a wild ride.