Election Desk: The cast is complete – Malta’s political scene takes shape

As the sun sets over the Grandmaster’s Palace in Valletta, the political stage for Malta’s next general election is finally set. The major parties have unveiled their final candidates, and the race to lead our tiny island nation is well and truly on. With just over a year until polling day, who are the key players vying for your vote?

Labour’s incumbents and new faces

The ruling Labour Party, led by Prime Minister Robert Abela, has announced a mix of familiar faces and fresh blood. Abela himself will be seeking a full term in office, having taken over from Joseph Muscat midway through the last legislature. His running mate, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Evarist Bartolo, will be aiming to retain his seat in the single-member district of Ħamrun.

Labour has also given a significant boost to its younger generation, with the likes of Minister for Public Administration Julia Farrugia Portelli and Minister for Education and Employment Owen Bonnici featuring prominently on the ticket. However, it’s the inclusion of former PN MP and TV personality Jason Azzopardi that has raised eyebrows. Azzopardi, who crossed the floor to join Labour in 2019, will be contesting the two-member district of Birkirkara.

The Nationalist Party’s battle for relevance

Opposition leader Bernard Grech and his Nationalist Party (PN) have a mountain to climb if they are to dislodge Labour from power. Grech, who took over the party leadership in 2020, has opted for a youthful and diverse ticket, with an average age of just 36. Among the new faces are lawyer and former Miss World Malta Marthese Portelli, and former PN MEP and political scientist David Casa.

However, the PN’s challenge is compounded by the fact that it will be contesting the election from a position of weakness. Having lost the last two general elections, the party is under pressure to prove it can still appeal to a broad cross-section of Maltese society. Grech’s decision to contest the two-member district of Ħamrun, traditionally a Labour stronghold, has been seen as a bold attempt to do just that.

Third parties and independent candidates

Beyond the two major parties, a handful of smaller parties and independent candidates will be vying for votes. The Democratic Party, led by former Labour MP Godfrey Farrugia, has once again thrown its hat into the ring, while the far-right Imperium Europa party will be contesting its first general election. Meanwhile, a number of high-profile independent candidates, including former PN MP and journalist Simon Busuttil, have announced their intention to stand.

With the cast now complete, the focus shifts to the policies and promises that will shape the election campaign. From housing and the economy to migration and the environment, the next year promises to be a pivotal one for Malta’s political future.

“This election is about more than just winning or losing,” says political scientist and University of Malta lecturer Dr. Joseph Azzopardi. “It’s about the kind of Malta we want to build for the next generation.”