Malta stands at a critical juncture.

In spite of scandals continuing to tarnish the Labour government and trust in institutions steadily eroding, the Labour Party remains the country's dominant political force. The main reason? The Nationalist Party, in opposition since 2013, has failed to emerge as a credible alternative.

After more than a decade out of government, the PN is still struggling to find its voice, its vision, and most crucially, its leadership. The resignation of its latest leader Bernard Grech last Tuesday is only the most recent episode in a series of leadership changes that have yielded no substantial rejuvenation. In the 12 years since losing power, the PN has cycled through three captains, none of whom managed to reverse its fortunes. With the 2027 general election approaching - and the spectre of a snap election looming - the clock is ticking for the party to regroup, rebrand, and rebuild.

The Labour Party's continued hold on power, despite a string of serious scandals and embarrassments, some of which on the international stage, reveals an uncomfortable truth about Malta's current political environment. The government's apparent immunity from electoral consequences is not necessarily a reflection of its performance, but rather an indictment of the PN's inability to present itself as a viable alternative. Voters, including those who traditionally floated between the two major parties, still prefer "the devil they know". This status quo has bred complacency and even arrogance within Labour ranks, giving rise to a culture of impunity and disdain for the rule of law and basic principles of good governance.

The latest opinion poll paints a sobering picture: the Labour Party holds a lead of 39,000 votes - the exact same margin that separated the two parties in the 2022 general election. This is not only a sign of Labour's popularity growing; it is also a measure of the PN's weakness. With such a comfortable cushion, Labour has little reason to fear political fallout from controversy or mismanagement. In fact, there is mounting speculation that the government may even call an early election to capitalise on the PN's current disarray.

For Malta's democracy to function properly, there must be accountability - and accountability requires a credible opposition. A frail opposition is not merely a political misfortune for one party; it is a structural vulnerability for the entire democratic system. Without a serious counterweight, governments operate without real scrutiny. They begin to treat institutions as tools of convenience rather than as foundations of democracy. They dismiss legitimate criticism as partisan noise. And they govern as if they are entitled to power, not accountable for it.

What the PN must now do is look inward to redefine its purpose and outward to reconnect with the electorate. This is not just about finding a new leader, though leadership is certainly a vital part of the puzzle. It is about building a team with the credibility, energy, and ideas necessary to challenge Labour not only at the ballot box but also in the court of public opinion.

Many Nationalists were hoping that Roberta Metsola, the president of the European Parliament, would have left her job in Brussels to take on the job instead of Grech. But she ultimately chose to stay where she is, opening the way to other contenders who were waiting for her decision before showing a possible interest.

The next few months will be pivotal. The Nationalist Party cannot get it wrong. It must act swiftly to restore discipline, articulate a compelling policy agenda, and reconnect with a public that must see the signs of change. What is equally important is that the contest to replace Bernard Grech, in the end, will unite the party under the new leader, and not open old or new wounds which would throw the party in further distress.

The Nationalist Party has a duty towards the country. A credible opposition is not a luxury in a democracy; it is a necessity. Without it, governance becomes unchecked, corruption festers, and democracy itself is undermined. That Labour could be moving towards having two-thirds of the seats in Parliament in something that should worry everyone.

Malta deserves better - not only from those in power but also from those who aspire to govern. The Nationalist Party now has the urgency to rise from the ashes and fulfil its democratic duty. If it fails to do so, the consequences will be felt not just in the next election, but in the very health of our political system for years to come.