WATCH | Election must be moment of ‘truth and not slogans’: Alex Borg says in address

Nationalist Party leader Alex Borg said Malta’s strong economy must be used to improve people’s lives, as he addressed the nation following the announcement of an early general election.

“An early election like this must be a moment of truth, not slogans, because the Maltese and Gozitan people deserve a better quality of life,” Borg said in a televised address. The address which was scheduled at 8:30pm was delivered an hour later at 9:30pm.

The Nationalist leader made great emphasis on the election being an early one.

Borg insisted the vote should be treated as an election centred on substance rather than campaigning optics, stressing it was “not about billboards” but about the real needs of the public.

In his address, Borg said the Prime Minister’s decision to call an early election marked a significant political moment, describing it as a choice that invites the country to reconsider its direction. He said the Nationalist Party was ready to offer what he described as “a new breath” for Malta, pledging leadership focused on improving quality of life while maintaining economic strength.

Borg repeatedly stressed that the election should not be about power or partisan messaging, but about everyday realities facing people. He highlighted issues such as the cost of living, housing affordability, traffic congestion, environmental pressures and work-life balance as central concerns for voters.

While acknowledging that Malta’s economy is performing well, Borg questioned whether economic growth is being felt adequately by families and workers. He said the key issue is not growth itself, but whether it is translating into tangible improvements in people’s lives.

“The problem is not that Malta is not growing,” he said. “The problem is that the way it is growing is placing too much pressure on families, infrastructure, the environment and public services.”

He argued for a shift in the economic model towards one that prioritises higher value, productivity and better wages, rather than continued reliance on volume-driven growth. According to Borg, the next phase of economic development should focus on quality of life, reduced pressure on infrastructure and more time for families.

Borg also pointed to concerns raised by different sectors of society, including workers struggling to keep up with expenses, young people finding it difficult to buy their first home, businesses facing bureaucracy and uncertainty, and pensioners worried about rising costs.

He framed the election as a “moment of truth”, calling for a departure from what he described as divisive politics and urging a renewed focus on trust in institutions, governance and the rule of law.

The Nationalist leader said his party is proposing a model that balances economic success with social wellbeing, including investment in high-value sectors, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, and policies aimed at improving productivity and wages.

He also appealed to a broad spectrum of voters, including traditional Nationalist supporters, disillusioned voters and those who previously backed the Labour Party, saying the campaign would be “for Malta” rather than against political opponents.

He said the country needs not just an opposition, but an alternative government with a clear direction.

“This is the moment to choose whether Malta continues with more of the same, or chooses a new direction,” he said.

Earlier, the Nationalist leader announced the party’s campaign slogan, “Nifs Ġdid” [A breath of fresh air].

He said the PN was “ready”, or the upcoming general election, framing the party’s campaign as a message of “hope and renewal”.