---
title: "General Election Campaign Intensifies with Party Manifestos and New Proposals"
date: 2026-05-16T08:01:03.065+00:00
updated: 2026-05-16T11:03:05.556+00:00
topics: ["Politics", "Economy", "Courts", "National"]
canonical: https://filqosor.com/article/2026-05-16/general-election-campaign-intensifies-party-manifestos-proposals
source: Fil-Qosor
---

# General Election Campaign Intensifies with Party Manifestos and New Proposals

## In brief

- The Labour Party approved its election manifesto and presented 72 candidates, with Prime Minister Robert Abela criticising the Nationalist Party's proposals.
- The Nationalist Party announced a 5-year tax break for young people entering the workforce, while former Gżira mayor Conrad Borg Manché confirmed his candidacy with PN.
- ADPD criticised both major parties' tax plans as 'Father Christmas' sweeteners, and Momentum proposed a €360 weekly minimum wage; a recent survey indicates Labour maintains a 9-11% lead.

The general election campaign is intensifying as political parties present their manifestos and new proposals to the public. Developments include the Labour Party's manifesto approval, new tax break pledges from the Nationalist Party, and policy announcements from smaller parties.

Yesterday, the Labour Party held its general conference where its electoral manifesto was approved. Prime Minister and party leader Robert Abela presented a record 72 candidates for the upcoming election. During the conference, Mr Abela criticised the Nationalist Party's proposals, describing them as "smoke and mirrors".

However, The Maltese Herald highlighted a controversial pledge within Labour's newly approved manifesto: a commitment to increase punitive measures, specifically libel damages, against journalists. The outlet described this measure as being proposed "by stealth" and an "attack against the free press".

On the Nationalist Party's front, new measures targeting young people were announced, including a five-year tax break for those entering the labour market. This proposal reportedly "outbids" a similar measure previously put forward by the Labour Party. Additionally, former Gżira mayor Conrad Borg Manché announced he would be contesting the general election under the Nationalist Party banner, stating he could no longer support Labour after feeling ignored by the party.

ADPD - The Green Party also weighed in on the economic debate, accusing both Labour and the Nationalist Party of reducing taxation policy to a series of fragmented electoral sweeteners. ADPD condemned these as "Father Christmas" tax proposals, arguing that neither major party is addressing fundamental economic challenges. Separately, Momentum unveiled its manifesto, pledging to protect Malta's coastline and proposing a €360 weekly minimum wage, alongside a focus on state reform.

The Malta Chamber of SMEs has also put forward its election priorities, advocating for a reduction in the corporate tax rate from 35% to 25% for all businesses. They also proposed a 15% deferred rate for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) that reinvest their profits.

Amidst these developments, a recent survey conducted by Vince Marmara's Sagalytics between May 7 and 10 indicates that the Labour Party continues to hold a significant advantage over the Nationalist Party. The survey projects a lead for Labour ranging between 9% and 11%.

The Labour Party has put forward new proposals as part of the ongoing general election campaign. These include measures aimed at creating a better work-life balance for employees.

Additionally, the Prime Minister, Robert Abela, announced a grant of up to €12,000 for families with three or more children to assist them in purchasing a larger vehicle. This announcement was made during the Labour Party General Conference held in Ta’ Qali, which he also addressed.

In response, the Nationalist Party accused the Labour Party of presenting recycled election promises that have not yet been fulfilled. Separately, ADPD criticised the various proposals being put forward by political parties, describing them as "Fragmented Father Christmas proposals."

The Labour Party's General Conference has officially approved its election manifesto. During the conference, Prime Minister Robert Abela addressed attendees, highlighting the party's commitment to "credibility, competence, and responsibility."

Among the proposals included in the Labour manifesto is the introduction of a multi-sensory room within emergency departments. This specific suggestion was put forward by a mother, Lucienne Formosa, and has now been adopted as part of the party's platform.

Meanwhile, the Nationalist Party has put forward its own proposal aimed at supporting young people. The party suggested offering five tax-free years for youths who are just starting their careers and entering the workforce.

## The Spin Room

**Medium media divide.** ONE News highlighted the Labour Party's manifesto approval and Prime Minister Robert Abela's comments, while TVM News reported on the Nationalist Party's new tax proposal for young workers.

- **ONE News:** Focused on the Labour Party's General Conference, the approval of its manifesto, and the Prime Minister's emphasis on party values such as credibility and responsibility. It also highlighted a specific manifesto proposal originating from a citizen's suggestion.
- **TVM News:** Reported on the Nationalist Party's proposal for five tax-free years for young people who have just started working.

## Updates

- **2026-05-16:** Updated with details on the Labour Party's manifesto approval and the Nationalist Party's new tax proposal for young workers.

## Sources (17, 5 outlets)

- [ONE News](https://one.com.mt/il-partit-laburista-bmizuri-li-joholqu-bilanc-aqwa-bejn-hajja-u-xoghol/)
- [Newsbook](https://newsbook.com.mt/en/pn-again-outbids-labour-as-it-pledges-5-year-tax-break-for-the-young/)
- [The Maltese Herald](https://themalteseherald.com/2026/05/16/the-labour-party-prepares-to-mount-its-an-attack-against-the-free-press-proposes-tougher-libel-penalties-against-journalists/)
- [The Malta Independent](https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2026-05-15/local-news/Fragmented-Father-Christmas-proposals-the-order-of-the-day-ADPD-says-6736289753)
- [Newsbook](https://newsbook.com.mt/en/abela-hails-record-number-as-labour-presents-its-72-election-candidates/)
- [ONE News](https://one.com.mt/is-suggeriment-tieghi-ghal-multi-sensory-room-fl-emergenza-sar-parti-mill-manifest-laburista-l-omm-lucienne-formosa/)
- [Newsbook](https://newsbook.com.mt/en/live-labour-general-conference-to-approve-manifesto/)
- [ONE News](https://one.com.mt/illejla-il-konferenza-generali-tal-partit-laburista-indirizzata-mill-pm-robert-abela-fta-qali/)
- [Newsbook](https://newsbook.com.mt/en/sme-chamber-calls-for-25-corporate-tax-rate-across-the-board/)
- [Newsbook](https://newsbook.com.mt/en/i-could-no-longer-support-a-party-that-ignored-me-borg-manche-explains-pn-switch/)
- [ONE News](https://one.com.mt/ghotja-lill-familji-bi-tlett-itfal-jew-aktar-biex-jixtru-vettura-akbar-il-pm-fhaz-zebbug/)
- [TVM News](https://tvmnews.mt/en/news/pn-proposes-five-tax-free-years-for-youths-who-have-just-started-working/ "PN proposes five tax-free years for youths who have just started working")
- [The Maltese Herald](https://themalteseherald.com/2026/05/16/marmara-survey-remains-with-identical-pl-advantage/)
- [The Malta Independent](https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2026-05-15/local-news/PN-accuse-Labour-of-recycling-unfulfilled-election-promises-6736289758)
- [ONE News](https://one.com.mt/kredibbilita-kompetenza-u-responsabbilita-il-pm-fil-konferenza-generali-li-approvat-il-manifest-laburista/)
- [The Maltese Herald](https://themalteseherald.com/2026/05/16/momentum-proposes-e360-minimum-wage-and-independent-institutions/)
- [Newsbook](https://newsbook.com.mt/en/greens-condemn-father-christmas-tax-proposals-as-bidding-war-ignores-economic-challenges/)

## More stories

- [Labour Party Disputes Alex Borg's Debt Claims as PN Faces Casual Election Decisions](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-06-03/labour-party-disputes-alex-borgs-debt-claims-as-pn-faces-casual-election-decisions) (2026-06-03)
- [Political Parties Present Diverse Electoral Proposals](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-05-17/political-parties-present-diverse-electoral-proposals) (2026-05-17)
- [Labour Party Proposes Grants Up To €12,000 for Large Families to Purchase Larger Cars](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-05-15/labour-party-proposes-car-grants-large-families) (2026-05-15)

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