2026 Maltese general election

2026 Maltese general election

30 May 2026
All seats in the House of Representatives
Opinion polls
Turnout	87.42% ( 1.79pp)
First party Second party   Leader Robert Abela Alex Borg Party Labour Nationalist Last election 55.11%, 44 seats 41.74%, 35 seats Seats won 42 37 Seat change 2 2 Popular vote 158,444 136,723 Percentage 51.77% 44.68% Swing 3.34pp 2.94pp
Prime Minister before election Robert Abela Labour Elected Prime Minister Robert Abela Labour

General elections were held in Malta on 30 May 2026 to elect all members of the House of Representatives. The result was a victory for the ruling Labour Party led by Robert Abela, which received 52% of the first preference vote and won 36 seats. While the party's vote share was down by three percentage points from the 2022 election, the party was still able to win a majority in parliament, the first time a party had won four consecutive elections. The Nationalist Party, led by Alex Borg, won 31 seats with 45% of the vote, narrowing the gap between the two parties from 39,474 votes in the 2022 general election to 21,721.

Background

The previous elections in March 2022 saw the Labour Party, which has governed the country since 2013, receive 55% of the popular vote and win 44 out of 79 seats in the House of Representatives. Robert Abela, the Prime Minister of Malta and leader of the Labour Party since 2020, and his new cabinet were sworn in on 30 March 2022. Bernard Grech, the leader of the Nationalist Party, was re-elected unopposed in May 2022. The current Leader of the Opposition is Alex Borg, leader of the Nationalist Party, since 10 September 2025. The election was announced following the completion of a deal to transfer Manoel Island back to the Maltese Government, and in the context of the ongoing war in Iran during a short address to the nation.

Media speculation that the Prime Minister Robert Abela was considering calling a snap election had been ongoing since March 2026. On 22 March, Abela unveiled a focus on a "stronger Malta" for Labour's forthcoming manifesto in a speech to supporters. Following hints during his Freedom Day speech of an impending election, the Labour Party held a Congress from 12 to 17 April in which the election manifesto guidelines were approved by the party's members.

In an address to the nation, Abela announced a snap election on 30 May 2026, citing current geopolitical instability as requiring a new mandate from the Maltese people.

Parliamentary parties before the election

The table below lists parties represented in the House of Representatives after the 2022 general election.

	Name		Ideology	Political position	Leader	2022 result		Seats at dissolution
						Votes (%)	Seats
		Labour Party (PL)	Social democracy	Centre-left	Robert Abela	55.11%	44 / 79	43 / 79	1
		Nationalist Party (PN)	Christian Democracy	Centre-right	Alex Borg	41.74%	35 / 79	35 / 79
		Independents						1 / 79	1

Electoral system

MPs are elected from 13 five-seat constituencies by single transferable vote using optional preferential voting. Candidates who pass the Droop quota in the first round are elected, and any surplus votes transferred to the remaining candidates, who will be elected if this enables them to pass the quota. The lowest ranked candidates are then eliminated one-by-one with their preferences transferred to other candidates, who are elected as they pass the quotient, until all five seats are filled. If only two parties obtain seats, if the party which wins a majority of first preference votes fails to achieve a parliamentary majority, it is awarded additional seats to ensure a one-seat majority.

In 2018, the Parliament of Malta lowered the national voting age to 16. During the 2017–2022 legislature a gender-corrective mechanism was introduced, with Article 52(A) of the Constitution stating that provides for up to 12 additional seats for unelected candidates from "the under-represented sex" in case one of both makes up less than 40% of the elected MPs. Candidates are allowed to run in two different constituencies, and if elected in both, they must vacate one of the seats. Their replacement is chosen by a "casual election", in which the votes for the vacating candidate are redistributed.

Despite conducting elections under a proportional ranked preferential system, Malta has a stable two-party system, with only the Labour Party and Nationalist Party having a proven realistic chance of forming a government. Prior to the 2017 election, when the Democratic Party won two seats while running in a joint list with the Nationalist Party, the last time a party/parties other than the Labour Party or the Nationalist Party won seats were the pro-Church parties in alliance with the Nationalist Party in 1962.

Timetable

Date	Event
27 April	Prime Minister Robert Abela announces a snap election and requests a dissolution of Parliament from President Myriam Spiteri Debono. Labour Party and Nationalist Party announce their respective campaign slogans.
28 April	Former Affordable Housing Minister Roderick Galdes formally challenges the desicion by the Labour Party Executive to bar him from running due to a previous scandal which forced his resignation. The Labour Party reiterates its first few proposals concerning parental and youth relief from their upcoming manifesto during a press conference and during a mass meeting in Żejtun The Nationalist Party announce its first healthcare-related proposals from their upcoming manifesto during a mass meeting in Pieta. Imperium Europa is banned from Instagram.
29 April	Momentum announces that Professor Pierre Schembri-Wismayer will be contesting on their ticket. Alex Borg visited Maritime MT. Prime Minister Robert Abela met Roderick Galdes in private discussion. Robert Abela attends an interview in Sannat, Gozo, where he announces that the Labour manifesto will hold 100 Gozo-related promises, including a 45 million euro interconnector, the modernisation of all their schools and road reparations. Nationalist Party holds rally in Mellieħa, where Alex Borg promises minimum-wage stipends for healthcare students, an overall 25% increase in stipends, and heavy tax incentives for returning healthcare expats.
30 April	Momentum unveiled their candidates for all 13 districts. Robert Abela announces a third interconnector between Malta and Sicily which would cost €600 million. AD+PD calls out the interconnector project as a 'false promise'.
1 May	Labour Party holds flagship May Day mass rally in Castille Square, Valletta. Nationalist Party holds flagship May Day mass rally in Ħal Lija.
2 May	Malta Chamber of Commerce calls out Robert Abela's proposals on the economy as 'Populist'. The Nationalist Party announced that it would make Gozo a region.
3 May	Nationalist Pary holds rally in Bormla, where Alex Borg promised to cut energy bills by a third. Labour Party holds rally in Naxxar. During the rally Robert Abela pledged to increase children's allowance and in-work benefits.
4 May	Nationalist Party holds rally in Żurrieq. Labour Party holds rally in Santa Venera.
5 May	Labour Party holds rally in Siġġewi.[1] Nationalist Party holds rally in Ħ'Attard.
6 May	Labour Party holds discussion in Santa Luċija. Nationalist Party holds rally in Birkirkara.
8 May	Labour Party holds rally in Xagħra, Gozo.
10 May	Labour Party holds rally in Bormla, outside the Kottonera Sports Complex. Nationalist Party holds rally in Siġġiewi.
13 May	Nationalist Party holds rally in Ħal-Qormi.
14 May	Nationalist Party holds rally in Paola.
15 May	Nationalist Party holds discussion in Swieqi.
16 May	Nationalist Party holds rally in Munxar, Gozo.
17 May	Labour Party holds rally in Mqabba. Nationalist Party holds discussion in Ħaż-Żebbuġ. Nationalist Party holds mass meeting in Mosta.
18 May	University debate is held; featuring Robert Abela, Alex Borg, Sandra Gauci, Arnold Cassola and Paul Salomone. Nationalist Party holds a meeting of the general council at the Party Headquarters in Pieta.
19 May	Nationalist Party holds rally in St. Paul's Bay next to Wignacourt Tower.
20 May	Nationalist Party holds rally in Mqabba.
28 May	Labour Party holds rally in Floriana. Nationalist Party holds rally in Luxol – Pembroke.
29th May – Silent Day / election silence.
30th May – Election Day
31st May – Counting and Results
Labour Party declares victory, details unclear. Vote gap is being disputed.

Participating parties

Name		Founded	Leader(s)	Main ideology	Political position
	Labour Party	1921	Robert Abela	Social democracy	Centre-left
	Nationalist Party	1926	Alex Borg	Christian democracy	Centre-right
	AD+PD	2020	Sandra Gauci	Green politics	Centre-left
	Momentum	2025	Arnold Cassola	Centrism	Centre to centre-left
	Aħwa Maltin	2020	Paul Salomone	Right-wing populism	Right-wing to far-right
	Imperium Europa	2000	Eman Cross	Ultranationalism	Far-right

Volt Malta stated they would not participate in the election, and would instead "support progressive and moderate third-party and independent voices".

Candidates

Party totals

The Labour Party, Nationalist Party, AD+PD, Momentum and Aħwa Maltin fielded candidates in all 13 constituencies. Imperium Europa fielded their leader Eman Cross in two constituencies. Two independent candidates also ran. Since candidates are allowed to contest two different constituencies, some parties have fewer candidates than constituencies.

Parties		Candidates	Constituencies
	Labour	72	13
	Nationalist	65	13
	AD+PD	8	13
	Momentum	7	13
	Aħwa Maltin	7	13
	Imperium Europa	1	2
	Independent	2	3

Summary table

Key:

^ *: Outgoing MP, not necessarily elected from this district.
^ #: Party leader

Candidates in the 2026 Maltese general election

Constituency	Labour	Nationalist	AD+PD	Momentum	Aħwa Maltin	Imperium Europa	Independent
District 1 (5 seats)	Keith Azzopardi Tanti Glenn Bedingfield Cressida Galea Davina Sammut Hili Fleur Abela Yana Borg Debono Grech Joseph Bugeja Jude-Taddeo Debattista John Grech Olaf McKay Nigel Vella Francesca Zarb	Darren Carabott Paula Mifsud Bonnici Justin Schembri Antonello Cuschieri James Ellul Alex Perici Calascione	Mark Zerafa	Billy McBee	Giuseppe Aquilina Francis Mallia	Eman Cross
District 2 (5 seats)	Carmelo Abela Robert Abela Glenn Bedingfield Byron Camilleri Clyde Caruana Amanda Spiteri Grech Alison Zerafa Civelli Clinton-Domenic Azzopardi Flores Jesmond Bonello Georvin Bugeja Martina Buhagiar Edward Cassar Delia James Grech Jorge Grech Shana Woods Rodrick Zerafa	Bernice Bonello Stephen Spiteri John Baptist Camilleri Leone Sciberras	Mario Mallia	Matthew Agius	Paul Salomone
District 3 (5 seats)	Carmelo Abela Ray Abela Chris Bonett Owen Bonnici Alicia Bugeja Said Andy Ellul Chris Fearne Martina Buhagiar James Grech Eric Plumpton	Janice Abela Chetcuti Stephen Spiteri Andrew Agius John Baptist Camilleri Miriana Calleja Testaferrata De Noto Errol Cutajar Raymond Gatt Leone Sciberras	Brain Decelis	Mark Camilleri Gambin	Marrianne Sacco		Nazzareno Bonnici (Tal-Ajkla)
District 4 (5 seats)	Ray Abela Jonathan Attard Chris Bonett Byron Camilleri Katya De Giovanni Andy Ellul Chris Fearne Amanda Spiteri Grech Eric Plumpton Shana Woods	Bernice Bonello Mark Anthony Sammut Duncan Borg Myatt Stefan Caruana Michael Piccinino	Brain Decelis	Alastair Farrugia	Giuseppe Aquilina
District 5 (5 seats)	Robert Abela Owen Bonnici Miriam Dalli Julia Farrugia Portelli Omar Farrugia Remenda Grech Kaydem Schembri Rodrick Zerafa	Toni Bezzina Stanley Zammit Conrad Borg Manché Duncan Borg Myatt Miriana Calleja Testaferrata De Noto Stefan Caruana Oliver Cini Owen Sciberras	Melissa Bagley	Alastair Farrugia	Iris Vella
District 6 (5 seats)	Malcolm Paul Agius Galea Ramona Attard Ian Borg Rosianne Cutajar Omar Farrugia Omar Rababah Saviour Schembri	Jerome Caruana Cilia Frederick Aquilina Julian Borg Annabelle Cilia Oliver Cini George Muscat George Vital Zammit	Sandra Gauci	Billy McBee	Marrianne Sacco		Noel Apap Nazzareno Bonnici (Tal-Ajkla)
District 7 (5 seats)	Anthony Agius Decelis Malcolm Paul Agius Galea Ian Borg Naomi Cachia Julia Farrugia Portelli Samantha Pace Gasan Omar Rababah Saviour Schembri	Charles Azzopardi Rebekah Borg Adrian Delia Ian Vassallo Hagi Andrew Agius Paul Mazzola Anthony Mifsud	Carmel Cacopardo	Pierre Schembri Wismayer	Iris Vella		Noel Apap
District 8 (5 seats)	Ramona Attard Keith Azzopardi Tanti Clyde Caruana Cressida Galea Alex Muscat Vania Agius Tabone Yana Borg Debono Grech Jesmond Bonello Joseph Bugeja Rosette Cassar John Grech	Ivan Castillo Adrian Delia Beppe Fenech Adami Justin Schembri Julie Zahra Ludwig Cauchi Edmond Cuschieri Angelo Micallef George Muscat David Pace Ross	Mario Mallia	Matthew Agius	Francis Mallia
District 9 (5 seats)	Rebecca Buttigieg Michael Falzon Clifton Grima Vania Agius Tabone Clinton-Domenic Azzopardi Flores Miguel Balzan Tania Borg Lorna Borg Vassallo David Caruana Lisa Cassar Shaw Mariah Meli	Graziella Attard Previ Graham Bencini Eve Borg Bonello Albert Buttigieg Beppe Fenech Adami Joe Giglio Julie Zahra Joseph Aquilina James Ellul Marija Gauci Jonathan Muscat Noel Muscat Alex Perici Calascione Charles Selvaggi	Mark Zerafa	Arnold Cassola	Josephine Borg	Eman Cross
District 10 (5 seats)	Jo Etienne Abela Rebecca Buttigieg Katya De Giovanni Michael Falzon Clifton Grima Miguel Balzan Tania Borg Lorna Borg Vassallo David Caruana Rosette Cassar Edward Cassar Delia Lisa Cassar Shaw Mariah Meli Deborah Schembri Damian Spiteri	Janice Abela Chetcuti Graziella Attard Previ Graham Bencini Eve Borg Bonello Albert Buttigieg Graziella Galea Joe Giglio Mark Anthony Sammut Joseph Aquilina David Bonello Conrad Borg Manché Errol Cutajar Raymond Gatt Marija Gauci Noel Muscat Rachel Williams	Marcus Lauri	Arnold Cassola Pierre Schembri Wismayer	Josephine Borg
District 11 (5 seats)	Anthony Agius Decelis Romilda Baldacchino Zarb Miriam Dalli Alex Muscat Francesca Zarb	Ivan Bartolo Rebekah Borg Bernard Grech Spiridione Borg Edmond Cuschieri Joseph Grech	Carmel Cacopardo	Mark Camilleri Gambin	Simon Elmer
District 12 (5 seats)	Jonathan Attard Romilda Baldacchino Zarb Alicia Bugeja Said Naomi Cachia Rosianne Cutajar Franco Mercieca Deborah Schembri Damian Spiteri Carlos Zarb	Charles Azzopardi Alex Borg Ivan Castillo Graziella Galea Ian Vassallo Hagi David Bonello Joseph Grech Anthony Mifsud Jonathan Muscat George Vital Zammit Rachel Williams	Sandra Gauci Luke Caruana	Carmel Asciak	Simon Elmer
District 13 (5 seats)	Jo Etienne Abela Abigail Camilleri Clint Camilleri Anton Refalo George Camilleri	Alex Borg Norma Camilleri Beppe Galea Luke Said Frank-Anthony Tabone	Luke Caruana	Carmel Asciak	Paul Salomone

Tables by party

Note: Candidates are listed in alphabetical order, identical to ballot paper order.

Labour Party

	2026 Maltese general election Labour Party candidates
	District 1 FIVE seats	Ray Abela		District 7 FIVE seats	Anthony Agius Decelis
		Keith Azzopardi Tanti			Malcolm Paul Agius Galea
		Glenn Bedingfield			Ian Borg
		Cressida Galea			Naomi Cachia
		Davina Sammut Hili			Julia Farrugia Portelli
		Fleur Abela			Samantha Pace Gasan
		Yana Borg Debono Grech			Omar Rababah
		Joseph Bugeja			Saviour Schembri
		Jude-Taddeo Debattista		District 8 FIVE seats	Ramona Attard
		John Grech			Keith Azzopardi Tanti
		Olaf McKay			Clyde Caruana
		Nigel Vella			Cressida Galea
		Francesca Zarb			Alex Muscat
	District 2 FIVE seats	Carmelo Abela			Vania Agius Tabone
		PM Robert Abela			Yana Borg Debono Grech
		Glenn Bedingfield			Jesmond Bonello
		Byron Camilleri			Joseph Bugeja
		Clyde Caruana			Rosette Cassar
		Amanda Spiteri Grech			John Grech
		Clinton-Domenic Azzopardi Flores		District 9 FIVE seats	Rebecca Buttigieg
		Jesmond Bonello			Michael Falzon
		Georvin Bugeja			Clifton Grima
		Martina Buhagiar			Vania Agius Tabone
		Edward Cassar Delia			Clinton-Domenic Azzopardi Flores
		James Grech			Miguel Balzan
		Jorge Grech			Tania Borg
		Shana Woods			Lorna Borg Vassallo
		Rodrick Zerafa			David Caruana
	District 3 FIVE seats	Carmelo Abela			Lisa Cassar Shaw
		Ray Abela			Mariah Meli
		Chris Bonett		District 10 FIVE seats	Jo Etienne Abela
		Owen Bonnici			Rebecca Buttigieg
		Alicia Bugeja Said			Katya De Giovanni
		Andy Ellul			Michael Falzon
		Martina Buhagiar			Clifton Grima
		James Grech			Miguel Balzan
		Eric Plumpton			Tania Borg
	District 4 FIVE seats	Ray Abela			Lorna Borg Vassallo
		Jonathan Attard			David Caruana
		Chris Bonett			Rosette Cassar
		Byron Camilleri			Edward Cassar Delia
		Katya De Giovanni			Lisa Cassar Shaw
		Andy Ellul			Mariah Meli
		Chris Fearne			Deborah Schembri
		Amanda Spiteri Grech			Damian Spiteri
		Eric Plumpton		District 11 FIVE seats	Anthony Agius Decelis
		Shana Woods			Romilda Baldacchino Zarb
	District 5 FIVE seats	PM Robert Abela			Miriam Dalli
		Owen Bonnici			Alex Muscat
		Miriam Dalli			Francesca Zarb
		Julia Farrugia Portelli		District 12 FIVE seats	Jonathan Attard
		Omar Farrugia			Romilda Baldacchino Zarb
		Remenda Grech			Alicia Bugeja Said
		Kaydem Schembri			Naomi Cachia
		Rodrick Zerafa			Rosianne Cutajar
	District 6 FIVE seats	Malcolm Paul Agius Galea			Franco Mercieca
		Ramona Attard			Deborah Schembri
		Ian Borg			Damian Spiteri
		Rosianne Cutajar			Carlos Zarb
		Omar Farrugia		District 13 FIVE seats	Jo Etienne Abela
		Omar Rababah			Abigail Camilleri
		Saviour Schembri			Clint Camilleri
					Anton Refalo
George Camilleri

Nationalist Party

	2026 Maltese general election Nationalist Party candidates
	District 1 FIVE seats	Darren Carabott		District 9 FIVE seats	Graziella Attard Previ
		Paula Mifsud Bonnici			Graham Bencini
		Justin Schembri			Eve Borg Bonello
		Antonello Cuschieri			Albert Buttigieg
		James Aaron Ellul			Beppe Fenech Adami
		Alex Perici Calascione			Joe Giglio
	District 2 FIVE seats	Bernice Bonello			Julie Zahra
		Stephen Spiteri			Joseph Aquilina
		John Baptist Camilleri			James Aaron Ellul
		Leone Sciberras			Marija Gauci
	District 3 FIVE seats	Janice Chetcuti			Jonathan Muscat
		Stephen Spiteri			Noel Muscat
		Andrew Agius			Alex Perici Calascione
		John Baptist Camilleri			Charles Selvaggi
		Miriana Calleja Testaferrata De Noto		District 10 FIVE seats	Janice Chetcuti
		Errol Cutajar			Graziella Attard Previ
		Raymond Gatt			Graham Bencini
		Leone Sciberras			Eve Borg Bonello
	District 4 FIVE seats	Bernice Bonello			Albert Buttigieg
		Mark Anthony Sammut			Graziella Galea
		Duncan Borg Myatt			Joe Giglio
		Stefan Caruana			Mark Anthony Sammut
		Michael Piccinino			Joseph Aquilina
	District 5 FIVE seats	Toni Bezzina			David Bonello
		Stanley Zammit			Conrad Borg Manché
		Conrad Borg Manché			Errol Cutajar
		Duncan Borg Myatt			Raymond Gatt
		Miriana Calleja Testaferrata De Noto			Marija Gauci
		Stefan Caruana			Noel Muscat
		Oliver Cini			Rachel Williams
		Owen Sciberras		District 11 FIVE seats	Ivan Bartolo
	District 6 FIVE seats	Jerome Caruana Cilia			Rebekah Borg
		Frederick Aquilina			Bernard Grech
		Julian Borg			Spiridione Borg
		Annabelle Cilia			Edmond Cuschieri
		Oliver Cini			Joseph Grech
		George Muscat		District 12 FIVE seats	Charles Azzopardi
		George Vital Zammit			LO Alex Borg
	District 7 FIVE seats	Charles Azzopardi			Ivan Castillo
		Rebekah Borg			Graziella Galea
		Adrian Delia			Ian Mario Vassallo
		Ian Mario Vassallo			David Bonello
		Andrew Agius			Joseph Grech
		Paul Mazzola			Anthony Mifsud
		Anthony Mifsud			Jonathan Muscat
	District 8 FIVE seats	Ivan Castillo			George Vital Zammit
		Adrian Delia			Rachel Williams
		Beppe Fenech Adami		District 13 (Gozo at-large) FIVE seats	LO Alex Borg
		Justin Schembri			Norma Camilleri
		Julie Zahra			Beppe Galea
		Ludwig Cauchi			Luke Said
		Edmond Cuschieri			Frank-Anthony Tabone
		Angelo Micallef
		George Muscat
		David Pace Ross

AD+PD

	2026 Maltese general election AD+PD – The Green Party candidates
	District 1 FIVE seats	Mark Zerafa		District 8 FIVE seats	Mario Mallia
	District 2 FIVE seats	Mario Mallia		District 9 FIVE seats	Mark Zerafa
	District 3 FIVE seats	Brian Decelis		District 10 FIVE seats	Marcus Lauri
	District 4 FIVE seats			District 11 FIVE seats	Carmel Cacopardo
	District 5 FIVE seats	Melissa Bagley		District 12 FIVE seats	Sandra Gauci
					Luke Caruana
	District 6 FIVE seats	Sandra Gauci		District 13 (Gozo at-large) FIVE seats
	District 7 FIVE seats	Carmel Cacopardo

Momentum

	2026 Maltese general election Momentum Party candidates
	District 1 FIVE seats	Billy Joe McBee		District 8 FIVE seats	Matthew Agius
	District 2 FIVE seats	Matthew Agius		District 9 FIVE seats	Arnold Cassola
	District 3 FIVE seats	Mark Camilleri Gambin		District 10 FIVE seats	Arnold Cassola
					Pierre Schembri Wismayer
	District 4 FIVE seats	Alastair Farrugia		District 11 FIVE seats	Mark Camilleri Gambin
	District 5 FIVE seats			District 12 FIVE seats	Carmel Asciak
	District 6 FIVE seats	Billy Joe McBee		District 13 (Gozo at-large) FIVE seats
	District 7 FIVE seats	Pierre Schembri Wismayer

Aħwa Maltin

	2026 Maltese general election Aħwa Maltin candidates
	District 1 FIVE seats	Giuseppe Aquilina		District 8 FIVE seats	Francis Mallia
		Francis Mallia
	District 2 FIVE seats	Paul Salomone		District 9 FIVE seats	Josephine Borg
	District 3 FIVE seats	Marrianne Sacco		District 10 FIVE seats
	District 4 FIVE seats	Giuseppe Aquilina		District 11 FIVE seats	Simon Elmer
	District 5 FIVE seats	Iris Vella		District 12 FIVE seats
	District 6 FIVE seats	Marrianne Sacco		District 13 (Gozo at-large) FIVE seats	Paul Salomone
	District 7 FIVE seats	Iris Vella

Imperium Europa

	Candidate	Districts
	Eman Alexander Cross	1 and 9

Independents

	Candidate	Districts
	Noel Apap	6 and 7
	Nazzareno Bonnici	3 and 6

Campaign

Labour Party

The Labour Party began its campaign by publishing their slogan Int Malta or You Are Malta in English and multiple billboards with the slogan. On 28 April, only a day after the election announcement, Labour held it first mass rally. The party also published a series of proposals such as the increase of maternity and various other leaves. It also included multiple tax reductions and financial support largely aimed at young people, first-time buyers and seniors. On 29 April, the Labour Party announced it would be making Gozo Channel trips free for people, provided they do not bring their car with them, alongside other Gozo-related proposals, including a 45 million euro interconnector, the modernisation of all their schools and road reparations. One of the most important rallies was held on 1 May, which is also Workers' Day where the party announced major promises to the people.

Nationalist Party

The Nationalist Party started its campaign by announcing their slogan Nifs Ġdid (A Breath of Fresh Air in English) while also installing billboards and banners with the slogan. On 28 April the Nationalist Party hosted its first Mass Meeting in Pieta, outside of the Party HQ. During the mass meeting the party announced multiple proposals related to healthcare such as a new hospital in the North, a new hospital in Gozo, an expansion of Mater Dei, free cancer treatment, and others. Without any media presence, Alex Borg announced a new set of proposals which ensured that students in secondary education will be offered maritime related courses. He also suggested the reform of Transport Malta. During a rally in Mellieħa, Borg promised minimum-wage stipends for healthcare students, an overall 25% increase in stipends, and heavy tax incentives for returning healthcare expats. On 2 May, the party announced it would make Gozo a region.

AD+PD

Before the election was announced AD+PD and Momentum announced an electoral agreement. On 28 April the AD+PD party announced its slogan, Ilkoll or All of us in English. On 29 April the party announced its candidates for the election which include: Mark Zerafa in the 1st and 9th districts, Mario Mallia in the 2nd and 8th district, Brain Decelis in the 3rd and 4th district, Melissa Bagley in the 5th district, Sandra Gauci in the 6th and 12th district, Carmel Cacopardo in the 7th and 11th district, Marcus Lauri in the 10th district and Luke Caruana in the 12th and 13th districts.

Momentum

Before the election was announced AD+PD and Momentum made an electoral agreement. On 28 April Momentum announced its slogan, Bidla Ta' Veru (Real Change). Apart from Arnold Cassola, leading University researcher, Professor Pierre Schembri-Wismayer will run on the Momentum ticket. On 30 April, Momentum unveiled its candidates for all 13 districts.

Aħwa Maltin

On 29 April Aħwa Maltin announced they would contest all constituencies under the slogan Malta għall-Maltin (Malta for Maltese). Their campaign has focused on seven key points: protection and support for the family, strict immigration controls, affordable housing, support for small businesses and workers, safeguarding cultural heritage and animal welfare, preservation of the Maltese identity, and tackling the cost of living.

Imperium Europa

On 28 April Imperium Europa announced that party leader Eman Cross would contest the 1st and 9th districts. This is the first general election the party has run in since 2008, as it had since then focused solely on European Parliament elections. On the same day, Imperium Europa's Instagram account was banned from the platform.

Independents

Perennial candidate Nazzareno Bonnici, better known as Żaren tal-Ajkla (Żaren of the Eagle), announced that he would be campaigning in the third and sixth districts. Noel Apap also contested as an independent candidate.

Party manifestos and slogans

Party		Manifesto (external link)	Original slogan	English translation	Refs
	Labour Party	Manifesto (in Maltese)	Int Malta	You Are Malta
	Nationalist Party	Manifesto (in English & Maltese)	Nifs Ġdid	A Breath of Fresh Air
	AD+PD	Manifesto (in Maltese)	Ilkoll	All of Us
	Momentum	Manifesto (in English & Maltese)	Bidla ta' Vera	Real Change
	Aħwa Maltin	Manifesto (in Maltese)	Malta Għall-Maltin	Malta for the Maltese
	Imperium Europa	Manifesto (in English)	Salva Pajjiżek	Save your Country

Debates

2026 Maltese General Election Debates
Date	Time	Organisers	P  Present    A  Absent invitee  N  Non-invitee
			PL	PN	AD+PD	Momentum	AM	IE	IND	Watch link / Reference:
11 May	9:15 pm	Broadcasting Authority & PBS / TVM Vice leaders' of represented parties debate	P Ian Borg	P Alex Perici Calascione	N	N	N	N	N
15 May	No data	Broadcasting Authority & PBS / TVM	P Jonathan Attard Miriam Dalli	P Darren Carabott Conrad Borg Manché	N	N	N	N	N
18 May		Broadcasting Authority & PBS / TVM Non-represented parties' press conference	N	N	P	P	P Paul Salomone	P Eman Cross	N
18 May	2:30 pm	MUDU Party Leaders Debate	P Robert Abela	P Alex Borg	P Sandra Gauci	P Arnold Cassola	P Paul Salomone	N	N
19 May	No data	Broadcasting Authority & PBS / TVM	N	N	P Sandra Gauci	P Arnold Cassola	P Paul Salomone	P Eman Cross	N
19 May	10:00 am	Malta Chamber of SMEs	P Robert Abela	P Alex Borg	N	N	N	N	N
21 May	9:15 pm	PBS & TVM – XTRA programme	P Robert Abela	P Alex Borg	N	N	N	N	N
22 May	No data	Broadcasting Authority & PBS / TVM	P Byron Camilleri Silvio Schembri	P Conrad Borg Manché Joseph Grech	N	N	N	N	N
23 May		Broadcasting Authority &PBS / TVM Independent candidates' slot	N	N	N	N	N	N	P Nazzareno Bonnici Noel Apap
24 May		The Malta Chamber	P Robert Abela	P Alex Borg	N	N	N	N	N
25 May	9:00 pm	Il-Każin/Times of Malta	A Robert Abela	P Alex Borg	N	N	N	N	N
	No data	Broadcasting Authority &PBS / TVM All parties' debate	P Owen Bonnici	P George Vidal Zammit	P Carmel Cacopardo	P Mark Camilleri Gambin	P Simon Elmer	P Eman Cross	N
26 May		Broadcasting Authority &PBS / TVM Final message by non-represented parties' leaders	N	N	P Sandra Gauci	P Arnold Cassola	P Paul Salomone	P Eman Cross	N

Involvement of A.I. in Campaigning

The election is regarded as the first election Malta had in the age of A.I. as edits and A.I. photos and videos filled social media. Less than a day after the announcement of the election, videos and photos aimed at mocking the two parties flooded social media. Most of these photos were centered around the slogans, Nifs Ġdid and Int Malta. Examples of these jokes were 'Int India' or 'You are India' because of the large number of Indian immigrants in the country. On the other hand, photos began circulating of Alex Borg smoking cannabis. A.I. involvement was not reserved to the two main parties, but smaller parties most notably Aħwa Maltin made a short edit showing their leader Paul Salamone being smarter and more competent than Robert Abela.

Opinion polls

Main article: Opinion polling for the 2026 Maltese general election

Local regression trend line of poll results, with each line corresponding to a political party.

Opinion polling conducted in 2026 has generally shown the Labour Party maintaining a lead over the Nationalist Party, although the margin varies across surveys. A MaltaToday survey conducted in March 2026 placed the Labour Party at approximately 48.2% and the Nationalist Party at 45.6%, indicating a narrow lead. Earlier surveys in January 2026 reported similar results, with Labour polling at around 48.9% and the Nationalist Party at 45.7%. A separate survey conducted by Vincent Marmarà in February 2026 suggested a wider gap when accounting for undecided voters, projecting Labour support at 52.8% compared to around 42.6% for the Nationalist Party.

Cost of living, purchasing power, and the economy are considered significant electoral issues, yet a KPMG report indicates that wages have effectively remained stagnant since 2018.

Turnout

Overview (3 early voting days + election day)

Source: Electoral Commission

District №	Total Registered Voters	Votes Cast	%
1	26,834	23,460	87.43
2	27,347	24,304	88.87
3	27,903	24,641	88.31
4	26,438	23,447	88.69
5	27,353	24,475	89.48
6	26,779	23,805	88.89
7	26,511	23,789	89.73
8	27,882	24,605	88.25
9	27,264	23,302	85.47
10	27,658	22,840	82.58
11	26,687	23,372	87.58
12	26,334	21,434	81.39
13 - Gozo	31,842	28,475	89.43
Average Total Turnout All-Malta:	356,832	311,949	87.42

Election day at 14.00 (comparison 2026 and 2022)

Note: these values do not include early voting turnout.

Source: Electoral Commission

District №	Turnout 2026	Turnout 2022	Change
1	47.30%	43.85%	3.45%
2	43.39%	38.26%	5.13%
3	42.39%	38.87%	3.52%
4	44.41%	42.81%	1.60%
5	43.22%	40.23%	2.99%
6	42.70%	39.32%	3.38%
7	42.64%	39.05%	3.59%
8	46.46%	42.55%	3.91%
9	46.02%	42.47%	3.55%
10	42.58%	41.47%	1.11%
11	42.87%	39.28%	3.59%
12	39.76%	37.72%	2.04%
13 - Gozo	42.95%	40.50%	2.45%
Average Turnout All-Malta:	43.59%	40.50%	3.1%

Results

Results take in account any proportionality adjustments, however not yet gender quota assignments, and totals are not final.

Party		Votes	%	+/–	Seats	+/–
	Labour Party	158,444	51.77	–3.34	36	–
	Nationalist Party	136,723	44.68	+2.94	31	–
	Momentum	4,700	1.54	New	0	New
	AD+PD	3,996	1.31	–0.30	0	0
	Aħwa Maltin	1,845	0.60	+0.08	0	0
	Imperium Europa	167	0.05	New	0	New
	Independents	161	0.05	–0.38	0	0
Total		306,036	100.00	–	67	–
Valid votes		306,036	98.05
Invalid/blank votes		6,093	1.95
Total votes		312,129	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		356,832	87.47
Source: Electoral Commission

By district

District 1

Party		Votes	%	+/–	Seats	+/–
	Labour Party	12,734	55.23	–4.84	3	–2
	Nationalist Party	9,674	41.96	+4.40	2	–1
	AD+PD	203	0.88	–0.25	0	0
	Momentum	194	0.84	New	0	0
	Aħwa Maltin	148	0.64	0	0	0
	Imperium Europa	105	0.46	New	0	0
Total		23,058	100.00	–	5	–3
Valid votes		23,058	98.35
Invalid/blank votes		386	1.65
Total votes		23,444	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		26,834	87.37

District 2

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Labour Party	16,025	67.15	4	0
	Nationalist Party	7,092	29.72	1	0
	AD+PD	317	1.33	–	–
	Momentum	224	0.94	–	–
	Aħwa Maltin	205	0.86	–	–
Total		23,863	100.00	5	0
Valid votes		23,863	98.08
Invalid/blank votes		466	1.92
Total votes		24,329	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		27,347	88.96

District 3

One additional proportional seat was awarded to the Nationalist Party.

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Labour Party	15,843	65.55	4	0
	Nationalist Party	7,410	30.66	2	+1
	AD+PD	258	1.07	–	–
	Momentum	440	1.82	–	–
	Aħwa Maltin	143	0.59	–	–
	Nazzareno Bonnici	77	0.32	–	–
Total		24,171	100.00	6	+1
Valid votes		24,171	98.10
Invalid/blank votes		469	1.90
Total votes		24,640	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		27,903	88.31

District 4

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Labour Party	14,810	64.39	3	–1
	Nationalist Party	7,482	32.53	2	+1
	AD+PD	260	1.13	–	–
	Momentum	276	1.20	–	–
	Aħwa Maltin	174	0.76	–	–
Total		23,002	100.00	5	0
Valid votes		23,002	98.01
Invalid/blank votes		466	1.99
Total votes		23,468	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		26,438	88.77

District 5

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Labour Party	14,570	60.94	3	–1
	Nationalist Party	8,481	35.47	2	+1
	AD+PD	336	1.41	–	–
	Momentum	318	1.33	–	–
	Aħwa Maltin	204	0.85	–	–
Total		23,909	100.00	5	0
Valid votes		23,909	97.67
Invalid/blank votes		571	2.33
Total votes		24,480	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		27,353	89.50

District 6

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Labour Party	13,320	56.60	3	0
	Nationalist Party	9,478	40.27	2	0
	AD+PD	455	1.93	–	–
	Momentum	100	0.42	–	–
	Aħwa Maltin	126	0.54	–	–
	Nazzareno Bonnici	56	0.24	–	–
Total		23,535	100.00	5	0
Valid votes		23,535	98.31
Invalid/blank votes		404	1.69
Total votes		23,939	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		26,779	89.39

District 7

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Labour Party	12,395	53.26	3	0
	Nationalist Party	10,128	43.52	2	0
	AD+PD	339	1.46	–	–
	Momentum	258	1.11	–	–
	Aħwa Maltin	124	0.53	–	–
	Noel Apap	28	0.12	–	–
Total		23,272	100.00	5	0
Valid votes		23,272	97.81
Invalid/blank votes		520	2.19
Total votes		23,792	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		26,511	89.74

District 8

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Nationalist Party	13,022	53.89	2	0
	Labour Party	10,179	42.12	3	0
	AD+PD	415	1.72	–	–
	Momentum	409	1.69	–	–
	Aħwa Maltin	139	0.58	–	–
Total		24,164	100.00	5	0
Valid votes		24,164	98.21
Invalid/blank votes		441	1.79
Total votes		24,605	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		27,882	88.25

District 9

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Nationalist Party	12,829	56.07	2	0
	Labour Party	9,039	39.50	3	0
	AD+PD	157	0.69	–	–
	Momentum	722	3.16	–	–
	Aħwa Maltin	73	0.32	–	–
	Imperium Europa	62	0.27	–	–
Total		22,882	100.00	5	0
Valid votes		22,882	98.20
Invalid/blank votes		419	1.80
Total votes		23,301	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		27,264	85.46

District 10

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Nationalist Party	13,633	60.85	3	0
	Labour Party	7,701	34.37	2	0
	Momentum	820	3.66	0	–
	AD+PD	146	0.65	0	–
	Aħwa Maltin	104	0.46	0	–
Total		22,404	100.00	5	0
Valid votes		22,404	98.07
Invalid/blank votes		440	1.93
Total votes		22,844	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		27,658	82.59

District 11

Party		Votes	%	+/–	Seats	+/–
	Nationalist Party	12,728	55.44	+2.10	3	0
	Labour Party	9,236	40.23	–1.89	2	0
	Momentum	539	2.35	New	0	0
	AD+PD	330	1.44	+0.26	0	0
	Aħwa Maltin	127	0.55	+0.10	0	0
Total		22,960	100.00	–	5	0
Valid votes		22,960	98.23
Invalid/blank votes		413	1.77
Total votes		23,373	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		26,687	87.58

District 12

Party		Votes	%	+/–	Seats	+/–
	Nationalist Party	11,013	52.62	+3.13	3	–1
	Labour Party	8,983	42.92	–3.90	2	0
	AD+PD	593	2.83	+0.42	0	0
	Momentum	201	0.96	New	0	0
	Aħwa Maltin	139	0.66	+0.01	0	0
Total		20,929	100.00	–	5	–1
Valid votes		20,929	97.64
Invalid/blank votes		505	2.36
Total votes		21,434	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		26,334	81.39

District 13 – Gozo

One additional proportional seat was awarded to the Nationalist Party, tying the two major parties in seat count.

Party		Votes	%	+/–	Seats	+/–
	Nationalist Party	13,753	49.32	+5.38	3	+1
	Labour Party	13,609	48.81	–4.73	3	0
	Momentum	199	0.71	New	0	0
	AD+PD	187	0.67	+0.33	0	0
	Aħwa Maltin	136	0.49	+0.16	0	0
Total		27,884	100.00	–	6	+1
Valid votes		27,884	97.92
Invalid/blank votes		593	2.08
Total votes		28,477	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		31,842	89.43

Aftermath

Labour declared victory at approximately 11:00 a.m. The initial projected vote gap between the two major parties was 18,000, a reduction of over half from the 2022 general elections, however the final tally released by the Electoral Commission indicates a gap of 21,721 votes, still a decrease of 3.34% for Labour. Nationalist leader Alex Borg conceded defeat and responded to his loss with a sense of positivity on social media, stating that his work will continue and that he will work to further reduce the gap. According to the PN party statute, a leadership election is triggered upon the loss of a general election regardless of how long the leader's tenure is, which in the case of Borg totals to around eight months.