National Interest? or Labour’s Interest? The Two Aren’t The Same!

Speculation is once again in the air. Will Robert Abela call an early election? On paper, the next general election should take place in March 2027. That is what the law says. That is what Abela himself has repeated countless times. As soon as Bernard Grech announced that he’s resigning, Abela started hinting that the election date is flexible. Let’s be honest. This has nothing to do with the national interest. It has everything to do with fear.

The Prime Minister knows that Dr. Borg is young, charismatic, and still fresh. Give him two years in the spotlight and he will grow into a formidable opponent. But call an election now, and Borg may not have enough time to consolidate his vision and unite his party. That is the calculation. That is the game.

We’ve heard the line before: “I will do what is best for the country.” But here is the uncomfortable truth. What is best for Labour is not always what is best for Malta. In fact, the two can be complete opposites.

A snap election means months of uncertainty. Businesses put projects on hold. Investors sit on their money. Families feel the pinch of instability. Instead of focusing on running the country, everything becomes about campaigning and survival. That is not stability. That is disruption.

If Abela truly has the national interest at heart, he should come out and say it loud and clear: the election will be held in 2027, as scheduled. Unless some extraordinary national crisis forces otherwise, the date is not up for grabs. Malta deserves that certainty.

People underestimate the damage of constant election talk. It slows down decision-making. It distracts the public service. It unsettles the private sector. The whole country ends up stuck in “wait and see” mode.

For what? For one man’s fear of facing a stronger opposition in two years’ time?

Elections are meant to be about the people, not about the insecurities of whoever happens to be in Castille. Leadership is about governing, not about gaming the calendar to secure your own seat.

Malta needs a government focused on solving real problems, the housing crisis, rising costs, the environment, the strain on infrastructure. Not one preoccupied with whether Alex Borg will become too popular if given time.

The national interest is crystal clear: stability until 2027. Anything else is a betrayal of trust.

Abela often talks about courage. But courage is not hiding behind a convenient election date. Courage is sticking to your word. Courage is leading a country through a full term and letting the people decide when the time comes.

If Robert Abela really wants to act in Malta’s best interest, the answer is simple: shut down the rumours, confirm the 2027 timeline, and let everyone get back to work.

Because in the end, the country’s best interest is not Labour’s interest. And it never will be.