--- title: "Momentum Candidate Removed from University Debate; Abela and Borg Agree on Quran and Mosque Issues" date: 2026-05-18T17:01:30.747+00:00 updated: 2026-05-19T08:03:27.383+00:00 topics: ["Politics", "Education", "National"] canonical: https://filqosor.com/article/2026-05-18/momentum-candidate-removed-university-debate-abela-borg-quran-mosque source: Fil-Qosor --- # Momentum Candidate Removed from University Debate; Abela and Borg Agree on Quran and Mosque Issues ## In brief - Momentum candidate Professor Pierre Schembri-Wismayer was removed from the KSU General Election Leaders’ Debate after an incident. - Schembri-Wismayer later apologised for "losing his cool" but also criticised some students present at the debate. - During the debate, Prime Minister Robert Abela and PN Leader Alex Borg agreed against introducing the Quran in schools or building another mosque. Specific incidents and key agreements marked the KSU General Election Leaders’ Debate held today at the University of Malta. During the debate, Momentum candidate Professor Pierre Schembri-Wismayer was removed from the hall. Lovin Malta reported that he was seen making an offensive gesture towards students who did not cheer for Arnold Cassola. Following the incident, Times of Malta and Lovin Malta both reported that Schembri-Wismayer issued a public apology, stating he had "lost his cool" during the event. However, Schembri-Wismayer also expressed strong criticism of some attendees, describing them as "sad kids" and lamenting what he called "a country which cannot grow up." He suggested that the atmosphere in the hall changed significantly after Labour delegates entered the student grouping. A notable point of agreement emerged between Prime Minister Robert Abela and Nationalist Party Leader Alex Borg. Both leaders stated their opposition to introducing the Quran into Maltese schools and to the construction of another mosque in Malta. This topic quickly became a central discussion point during the debate, as reported by Lovin Malta. Other key issues discussed by the five party leaders, including those from Partit Nazzjonalista, Partit Laburista, ADPD, Momentum, and Aħwa Maltin, included the environment, transport, and various 'giveaways' or incentives, according to Times of Malta. Following the debate, PN Leader Alex Borg told Lovin Malta that he felt "humbled" by the experience, reflecting on his own past as a university student. Times of Malta also provided live coverage of the event, highlighting the various topics addressed by the leaders. ## The Spin Room **Low media divide.** Both independent outlets, Lovin Malta and Times of Malta, reported on the incidents and key discussions from the university debate without notable framing differences. ## Updates - **2026-05-19:** Updated with reports on other candidates' activities, including Arnold Cassola's pre-debate billiards and Sandra Gauci's anti-corruption message. ## Sources (16, 8 outlets) - [Times of Malta](https://timesofmalta.com/article/man-leaves-leaders-debate-middlefinger-accusation.1128656) - [NET News](https://netnews.com.mt/2026/05/18/bil-provi-tas-super-one-u-ll-fzl-kienu-mbezza-id-debate-ma-nistghux-nitilfuh-akkost-ta-kollox/) - [Lovin Malta](https://lovinmalta.com/malta/watch-my-father-was-a-cleaner-his-was-the-president-sandra-gauci-delivers-anti-corruption-message/) - [The Malta Independent](https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2026-05-18/local-news/Live-Leaders-debate-at-University-6736289821) - [The Maltese Herald](https://themalteseherald.com/2026/05/18/alex-borg-conquers-university-as-students-greet-him-with-big-cheers/) - [Lovin Malta](https://lovinmalta.com/news/general-election-2026/i-let-my-emotions-get-the-better-of-me-pierre-schembri-wismayer-apologises-after-ksu-debate/) - [Lovin Malta](https://lovinmalta.com/news/general-election-2026/a-country-which-cannot-grow-up-momentum-candidate-slams-sad-kids-after-debate-commotion/) - [The Malta Independent](https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2026-05-18/local-news/Rowdy-cheers-and-jeers-dominate-first-general-election-debate-between-party-leaders-6736289824) - [Lovin Malta](https://lovinmalta.com/news/local/watch-abela-and-borg-agree-quran-shouldnt-be-introduced-in-schools-or-another-mosque-built-in-malta/) - [TVM News](https://tvmnews.mt/en/news/pm-stresses-that-the-choice-on-30-may-is-about-who-has-the-competence-and-credibility-to-lead-the-country-through-a-time-of-international-challenges/ "PM stresses that the choice on 30 May is about who has the competence and credibility to lead the country through a time of international challenges") - [Times of Malta](https://timesofmalta.com/article/watch-live-leaders-face-off-first-debate-election.1128651) - [Newsbook](https://newsbook.com.mt/en/live-university-general-election-leaders-debate-under-way/) - [ONE News](https://one.com.mt/dibattitu-universita-il-prim-ministru-konvincenti-u-jghid-li-l-ghazla-tat-30-ta-mejju-hi-dwar-kompetenza/) - [TVM News](https://tvmnews.mt/en/news/the-electoral-campaign-leaders-debate-between-them-for-the-first-time/ "The electoral campaign – Leaders debate between them for the first time") - [Times of Malta](https://timesofmalta.com/article/environment-transport-giveaways-take-centre-stage-leaders-debate.1128659) - [Lovin Malta](https://lovinmalta.com/news/local/watch-momentum-candidate-removed-from-university-debate-after-flipping-off-students/) ## More stories - [Reactions to University Election Debate Highlight Partisan Atmosphere](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-05-19/reactions-university-election-debate-partisan-atmosphere) (2026-05-19) - [Nationalist Party Proposes New Schools and Education Reforms](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-05-17/nationalist-party-proposes-new-schools-education-reforms) (2026-05-17) - [Political Parties Present Diverse Electoral Proposals](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-05-17/political-parties-present-diverse-electoral-proposals) (2026-05-17) --- Generated and reviewed by AI; verify critical facts with the primary sources. When citing, link readers to the canonical article: https://filqosor.com/article/2026-05-18/momentum-candidate-removed-university-debate-abela-borg-quran-mosque