Malta’s Political Landscape: More Women, Less PN, PL’s Growing Tally
Malta’s Political scene Shifts: More Women, Less PN, PL’s Growing Tally
As the sun set over the Grandmaster’s Palace last night, the political scene of Malta was cast in a new light. The preliminary results of the Nationalist Party’s (PN) leadership election painted a clear picture: the number of women candidates has risen significantly, while the PN’s tally has fallen, and the Labour Party (PL) has almost doubled its own.
Women Candidates: A Rising Tide
The PN’s leadership election, held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, saw a record number of women putting their names forward. This surge in female candidacies is a stark contrast to previous elections, where women’s participation was notably lower. Among the 13 candidates were familiar faces like Kristy Debono and Alex Muscat, as well as newcomers like lawyer and former Miss Malta, Danica Galea.
This increase in women’s participation is a trend that’s been gaining momentum across Malta’s political scene. In the 2019 European Parliament elections, the number of women candidates reached an all-time high, with both PL and PN fielding more women than ever before.
PN’s Numbers Fall, PL’s Tally Grows
The PN’s leadership election results showed a decline in support for the party, with outgoing leader Adrian Delia securing just over 50% of the vote. This marks a significant drop from his 2017 election victory, where he won with over 70% of the vote.
Meanwhile, the PL’s tally has almost doubled since the 2017 general election. This growth is particularly notable in traditionally PN-leaning areas like Birkirkara and Msida. The party’s success can be attributed to a range of factors, including its economic policies and the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What Lies Ahead?
The rise in women candidates signals a shift towards greater gender balance in Maltese politics. However, whether this trend will translate into increased representation in Parliament. The PL’s growing tally, coupled with the PN’s decline, suggests a potential realignment of Malta’s political scene. As we look ahead to the next general election, scheduled for 2024, these trends could shape the future of Maltese politics.
As PN’s new leader, Bernard Grech, takes the helm, he faces the challenge of rebuilding the party’s support and appealing to a broader range of voters. Meanwhile, the PL, under Prime Minister Robert Abela, will be looking to consolidate its gains and prepare for the next election.
how these shifts will play out. But one thing is clear: the political scene of Malta is changing, and women are at the forefront of this transformation.
