Imagine this: a sea of red and white flags waving in the heart of Valletta, the capital’s usually bustling Republic Street now a sea of people, their chants echoing off the historic buildings. This wasn’t a spontaneous outburst, but a planned protest – a sign of the times in Malta’s political scene.

The Spark: A Party in Crisis

The Nationalist Party (PN) finds itself in uncharted waters. After a landslide defeat in the 2020 general election, the party is grappling with internal divisions and a leadership crisis. The once-mighty PN, which ruled Malta for 27 of the last 30 years, is now facing a ‘rage’ it hasn’t seen before – from within and without.

At the heart of this storm is the party’s leadership. Adrian Delia, the party’s leader since 2017, has faced criticism for his handling of the party’s fortunes. His leadership has been marked by infighting, with several high-profile members leaving the party in protest. The latest blow came when former party secretary-general Clyde Puli resigned, citing a lack of vision and direction.

The Protest: A Voice from the Streets

The protest in Valletta was just one of many signs of discontent. Organised by a group calling themselves ‘Rage’, the protest saw hundreds of PN supporters, disillusioned with the party’s direction, take to the streets. They carried placards with slogans like ‘PN in crisis, Malta in danger’ and ‘We want change, not chaos’.

For many, the protest was a cry for unity and a return to the PN’s traditional values. “We want a strong, united PN that can challenge the Labour Party,” said one protester, a long-time PN supporter from Msida. “But right now, we’re a party at war with itself.”

The Future: A Crossroads for the PN

The PN finds itself at a crossroads. With the next general election scheduled for 2024, the party has little time to waste. Delia has promised to step down if the PN fails to win the next election, but many within the party want him to go sooner rather than later.

Some are calling for a leadership contest, hoping that a new face can unite the party and turn its fortunes around. Others are calling for a return to the party’s traditional values, arguing that the PN has lost its way in the pursuit of power.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party, led by Prime Minister Robert Abela, is watching these developments with interest. With the PN in disarray, the Labour Party is set to continue its grip on power. But politics in Malta is never predictable, and the PN’s ‘rage’ could yet prove to be a breakthrough.

As one protester in Valletta put it, “The PN is like a ship lost at sea. We need a captain who can steer us back to shore, not one who’s more interested in fighting his crew.” The question is, who will that captain be?