Malta Holds Snap Elections, Governing Party Favored for Victory

Malta Holds Snap Parliamentary Election Amid Economic Concerns

Voting has begun in Malta’s snap parliamentary election, which will determine the country’s government for the next five years. The election is taking place against the backdrop of rising rents and infrastructure issues, with these concerns expected to dominate the campaign.

Prime Minister Robert Abela has called the election a year ahead of schedule, citing global market fluctuations due to the Iran war as a factor. Abela’s party, Labour, is widely seen as leading the contest, but the Nationalist Party, led by Alex Borg, hopes to challenge their dominance.

The economy is expected to be a key issue in the election, with rising energy prices and inflation affecting voters’ concerns. Malta’s public health service is also under pressure due to a population surge in the European Union’s smallest and most densely populated country.

Opinion polls suggest Labour is on course to win the election, but the Nationalist Party’s new leader hopes to unseat Abela and become Malta’s youngest-ever prime minister at 30. The election takes place against the backdrop of the assassination of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in 2017.

A public inquiry concluded that the government was responsible for her death, but found no direct involvement. Two men were sentenced to life imprisonment for supplying the car bomb used in her killing in June 2025. Election results are expected to be announced on Sunday at midday.

Source: Al Jazeera