Alex Borg: People-First Politics in Malta

Imagine, if you will, the bustling streets of Valletta on a crisp autumn morning. The sun is just beginning to warm the ancient stones of the capital, and the air is filled with the aroma of fresh pastizzi from the nearby bakery. Amidst the humdrum of daily life, a man walks with purpose, his destination: the headquarters of the Nationalist Party (PN). This man is Alex Borg, the party’s new Secretary General, and he’s got a mission.

Borg, a seasoned politician and former Minister, has taken the helm of the PN at a critical juncture. The party, once the dominant force in Maltese politics, has been in opposition since 2013. Now, Borg is steering the PN towards the next general election, promising to put people at the heart of its politics. But what does that mean for Malta, and can the PN under Borg’s leadership recapture the hearts and minds of the Maltese electorate?

Alex Borg is no stranger to Maltese politics. A lawyer by profession, he entered politics in 2008, serving as a Minister in the Gonzi administration. He’s been a familiar face in the PN’s corridors of power for over a decade, but his appointment as Secretary General has brought a fresh energy to the party. “I’m not a new face, but I bring a new perspective,” Borg told Hot Malta in an exclusive interview. “I’ve been around, I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. Now, it’s time to put that experience to good use.”

Borg’s appointment was met with both praise and skepticism. Some see him as a safe pair of hands, a steady navigator in troubled waters. Others, however, question whether he’s the right person to lead the PN out of the political wilderness. , but one thing is clear: Borg is not one to shy away from a challenge.

Borg’s mantra is simple yet powerful: “A PN government will put people at the centre of its politics.” But what does that mean in practice? For Borg, it’s about listening to the people, understanding their needs, and crafting policies that truly serve them. “We’ve lost touch with our base,” he admits. “We’ve been too focused on the next election, the next soundbite. It’s time to change that.”

Borg envisions a PN that is more than just a political party. He wants it to be a movement, a community of people united by a common vision. To achieve this, he’s been crisscrossing the islands, meeting with party members, supporters, and even critics. He’s been to the quiet streets of Birkirkara, the bustling markets of Marsaxlokk, and the rural heartlands of Gozo. He’s been listening, learning, and, perhaps most importantly, engaging.

But putting people at the centre of politics is not just about listening. It’s also about delivering. Borg has promised a raft of policies that he believes will improve the lives of ordinary Maltese. From housing to healthcare, from education to employment, Borg has a plan for every sector. But he’s also aware that promises are easy to make, and hard to keep. “We’re not just talking the talk,” he says. “We’re walking the walk. We’re working on concrete policies that will make a real difference to people’s lives.”

The road to the next election is a long and winding one, filled with challenges and opportunities. The PN faces a formidable opponent in the Labour Party, which has been in power for nearly a decade. The PN also has to contend with a shifting political scene, where traditional party loyalties are giving way to a more fluid, issue-based politics.

But Borg is undeterred. He sees these challenges as opportunities for the PN to reinvent itself, to reposition itself as the party of the people. He’s not afraid to reach out to new voters, to engage with new ideas, and to challenge the status quo. “We’re not just another opposition party,” he says. “We’re a party with a purpose, a party with a plan. And we’re ready to lead Malta into a brighter future.”

As Borg walks back through the streets of Valletta, the sun is beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the city. The day is done, but the work is far from over. Tomorrow, Borg will wake up and start again, listening, learning, and engaging. Because for Alex Borg, the road to the next election is not just a political journey. It’s a personal mission, a quest to put people at the centre of politics, one conversation at a time.