Prime Minister Abela Calls Snap General Election for May 30th

2026-04-27T20:00:54.761+00:00 · Updated 2026-04-28T02:00:57.814+00:00

Prime Minister Robert Abela today announced that a snap general election will be held on May 30th, bringing an end to weeks of speculation that Fil-Qosor had previously reported on, including MPs reportedly skipping parliament and expectations of an announcement. The Prime Minister confirmed he had advised President Myriam Spiteri Debono to dissolve Parliament immediately.

Following this advice, President Spiteri Debono formally dissolved Parliament, initiating the official process for the upcoming election. This move sets the stage for a five-week electoral campaign period.

The Nationalist Party (PN) quickly declared its readiness for the snap vote. PN leader Alex Borg framed the election as a "historic opportunity" for Malta, vowing to "breathe new life" into the country and promising a "fresh start."

Both major political parties have already unveiled their election slogans. The Labour Party (PL) adopted 'Int Malta' (You are Malta), while the Nationalist Party launched 'Nifs Ġdid' (A New Breath). These slogans mark the beginning of their respective campaigns to win over voters.

Newsbook and The Shift News reported on the Prime Minister's announcement and the immediate reactions from the Opposition. The Maltese Herald also covered the announcement, noting that Prime Minister Abela did not provide a specific reason for calling the snap election, describing his address as a "word salad" that touched upon international issues like the Strait of Hormuz.

The election on May 30th will see voters decide on the next government, with both parties now fully engaged in their campaigns.

The Labour Party has announced its first mass meeting for the upcoming general election will take place tomorrow evening in Żejtun Square. This event marks an early official step in their campaign activities following the Prime Minister's call for an early election.

Prime Minister Robert Abela also shared a personal voice message via WhatsApp, outlining his reasoning behind the early election. He described the decision as one taken "with responsibility," stressing the need for Malta's stability and peace of mind. This announcement comes despite Abela having denied rumours of an early vote since November 2025, with the election originally anticipated in 2027.

On the opposition front, Nationalist Party Leader Alex Borg reacted to the early election call by stating, "We are ready," signalling the party's readiness to campaign. Additionally, former PN leader Bernard Grech confirmed his intention to contest the election on the 11th District, just minutes after the Prime Minister's announcement.

Following the announcement of a snap general election for May 30th, as reported earlier by Fil-Qosor here, the election campaign is now in full swing across Malta.

Prime Minister Robert Abela has made a new pledge, stating his intention to introduce a "wellbeing index". This index would be used to measure the impact of government policies on the quality of life of citizens. The pledge was part of the Labour Party's election campaign launch.

Across the islands, the visual signs of the campaign are becoming increasingly apparent. Billboards and banners featuring various political slogans and promises have been erected, marking the official start of the election season.