June considered most probable month for next election

More than a quarter of voters believe the general election will be held in June, MaltaToday’s survey gauging the national mood shows.

The decision when to call a general election is the sole prerogative of the prime minister but the date has been the subject of much speculation for months.

The survey shows that the most expected date is June 2026 (26.3%), followed by a date closer to the normal expiry of the legislature next year (19.9%). Only 8% think the election will be held sometime this year after June, while just 4.2% expect it in May 2026. Still, most respondents (41.6%) acknowledge that they have no clue when the election will be held.

PN voters are more likely to expect a general election in June (32.2%), which may reflect rumours spread by the party media. Only 14.2% of PN voters expect an election next year, while 5.5% anticipate it as early as May. A further 10.5% expect the election this year after June.

Labour voters appear more cautious. While 22.8% expect an election in June, 22.2% believe the government will serve its full term and call an election next year as indicated by the prime minister on different occasions. Only 3.1% of Labour voters expect a May election, while 7.6% expect it later this year.

Robert Abela has kept the election date deliberately vague. While insisting the government intends to serve its full term, he has avoided ruling out an earlier vote. In an informal exchange with MaltaToday’s newsroom in January, Abela ruled out an early election and said his focus was on delivering the next budget. But he added that geopolitical uncertainties and international developments could influence the timing, keeping the door open for an early call “if it is in the national interest.”

On a second occasion outside parliament in early March, he laughed off speculation about a May or June vote, saying he had heard dates “from everywhere” and that the election would be called when it best served the country’s interest. It remains to be seen how current global instability will influence his choice of date.