PL ramps up billboard presence amid early election rumours

The Labour Party has ramped up its billboard presence on Maltese roads amid increasing speculation that a general election is around the corner.

On Friday morning, commuters could see fresh billboards advertising the PL’s upcoming congress which is set to begin next Sunday in Gozo. Other billboards advertised the party’s 1 May political event, which is a key annual appointment for the Labour Party and an opportunity for it to boast the strength of its voter base.

Earlier this week, MaltaToday reported that the PL will convene its congress for a week-long event. On Thursday, the PL’s deputy leaders explained that the party is statutorily obliged to hold a congress to lay down the guidelines for the manifesto up to one year before an election is due.

There is wide expectation that over the coming week, Abela could call an election with the most likely date being Saturday 23 May.

A billboard in Ħaż-Żebbuġ shows the Labour Party's upcoming congress with the theme Malta Aqwa (A Greater Malta) (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday)

But later on Thursday, Prime Minister Robert Abela poured cold water on the idea of an early election, saying that the convening of the congress does not necessarily mean an election is on the books for this year.

However, Abela did not dismiss the possibility of an election happening soon, insisting “the election will happen when, in my discretion and judgment, the national interest dictates that an election should be held.”

When asked whether Malta will be heading to the polls before summer, Abela replied “there will be an election between now and March 2027.”

In Malta, the Prime Minister can call an election whenever he sees fit, but voting day must be scheduled at least 33 days after parliament’s dissolution.

The PL has no vacancy for its leader and there is no internal emergency that could trigger the need for congress to be convened, leaving many to believe that the only other plausible reason is because a general election is around the corner.