Meet Your Candidate – Lorna Borg Vassallo

1. As a candidate what fresh ideas do you bring to Malta’s political system?

My background and work are legal however I also benefit from experience in tourism and education. Apart from that I have been active in politics and as a journalist for more than 23 years already. These qualities help me to see Malta’s challenges, whether present or future, in a holistic way. Thanks to the languages that I understand and speak, on the other hand, I am not always restricted to look at economic/political models from English-speaking countries but also tend to follow models/ideas stemming from other languages, such as French- and German-speaking countries.

Once this knowledge comes together with my experience at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, it gives me a wider perspective of certain situations. As a person who lives alone, I also think of people like me, and the challenges they face in life. I think these people need to be given more attention by our society. Apart from all this, inspite of my long experience I think I still have the necessary enthusiasm that would give me renewed impetus as a female member of parliament.

2. What are the three pressing challenges facing the country in the next five years?

An increase in population especially resulting from an ever-growing influx of foreigners living in Malta, and more tourism.

Infrastructure and the environment that catch up with the demands of a growing population and tourists, not only with regards to roads but also water and electricity supply.

Reconciliation between the interests of business people and those of citizens/residents.

3. Why did you decide to run for the election?

My father ran for the election during different times. I started getting involved in politics from the age of 18 or younger. I have contested four elections prior to now—three national elections in 2003, 2008 and 2013, and the European election in 2019.  At least in two elections I could have been elected in the by-election. In the EP election I got the third largest amount of votes from all female candidates. During those elections the gender corrective mechanism did not exist.  Obviously, this time I have more possibilities than before to be elected and I said let’s give it.

4. What is one issue you are most personally passionate about, and why?

Special leave for and the rights of single persons/parents living alone, including separated or  divorced people, widows and widowers. Of course these are the most vulnerable and at risk of experiencing poverty. In England they have the Ministry of Loneliness and in Germany the government has a National Strategy to Counter Loneliness. Contrary to what most think, loneliness in Europe is not only predominant in the elderly but also among youth and relates to political disengagement, belief in conspiracy theories, political extremism as well as radicalism and terrorism. I’m also quite passionate about a re-modelling exercise of matrimonial regimes which are very much related to loneliness.  Every married person can end up alone one day and legislators must ensure during marriage itself that they do not themselves lead couples into financial difficulties and isolation.

5. Outside of politics, how do you like spending your free time?

Travelling, reading, studying languages, historical re-enactments and singing.

Meet Your Candidate is a MaltaToday sponsored production aimed at providing visibility to candidates from all political parties during the 2026 general election