PN approves its electoral manifesto

Borg thanked those who trusted him to become PN leader. He promised supporters that the PN will be stronger tomorrow and even stronger the day after that.

On infrastructure, Borg pledged to make traffic “a thing of the past” through the party’s measures.

According to the manifesto, the Nationalist Party proposes a national Mass Rapid Transport system, primarily underground. This project is structured in two main phases: the first phase involves a 11.5km North-South line with eight stations and ten trains, costing approximately €1.4 billion and aimed for completion within the first five years of government. 

The second phase includes an additional line and extensions, bringing the total capital investment to €3.9 billion and providing a capacity of 55 million trips per year. 

Borg promised not to waste time on “more studies, gimmicks, and propaganda,” and instead committed himself to give people back the time they spend in traffic once and for all.

On Gozo, Borg stated that the island would no longer be treated as “a second-class island.”

Among measures targeting Gozo, the PN promises to give Gozo effective regional status within the Constitution to strengthen its administrative autonomy. The party is also promising a brand new 400-bed hospital with a heliport for Gozo, adding that the island would become a net-zero island through afforestation.

Borg reminded those present of the concern over food security during the pandemic. The party is proposing a label to help customers identify local produce, as well as funding for the rehabilitation of reservoirs and cisterns to make rainwater harvesting a standard requirement for agricultural investment.

On governance, the PN leader stated that his party would take this seriously, noting that an entire chapter was dedicated to good governance. The manifesto contains a new unexplained wealth law, as well as a reform within the public broadcaster to ensure impartiality.

Alex Borg told supporters that his party’s manifesto aims to give people enough financial breathing room to keep up with the rising cost of living. He mentioned previously-announced proposals such as the removal of succession taxes. 

A look at the manifesto reveals that the PN is proposing that the limit for VAT exemption for small businesses would be doubled from €35,000 to €70,000. 

On health, Borg reiterated his promise of a network of hospitals and extensions to places like Mater Dei Hospital and the Paola Hub. According to the manifesto, the four hospitals include a new hospital in the north of Malta, a regional hospital in Paola through a transformation of the Paola Hub, Mater Dei Hospital, and a new hospital in Gozo.

When it comes to Malta’s population situation, Borg said the PN is not trying to turn the clock backward or re-invent the wheel, instead to have a plan for sustainable population growth. Here he mentioned the proposal to create a population authority.

Turning to the elderly, Borg promised to ensure that they can benefit from free doctor visits. Other visits from the manifesto include a support scheme for people aged over 65 years old who don’t currently qualify for rent subsidies.

On the environment, Alex Borg promised more investment on open spaces, “not gravel”, in Malta’s villages. 

At the end of the event, the party voted to approve the manifesto.