Adrian Delia and Alex Borg are vying for the top post at the Nationalist Party. Following the abrupt resignation of Bernard Grech, few were willing to throw their names into the hat, and only Delia and Borg came forward. Media reports said that there was a gentleman's agreement between Borg and his now former mentor, Delia, that the former will not contest against the latter. It was said that Delia would contest the PN leadership, and if successful, he would place Borg as his deputy.

FRIENDS NO MORE

Close confidants of Adrian Delia took to Facebook and said that the agreement was 'solid' between the two. The next thing we read is that Alex Borg announced his leadership bid. Rumours have it Dr Borg's decision to contest took them by surprise, and they were angry, to put it mildly.

FEW CAME FORWARD

When Grech announced his resignation on the Nationalist Party TV station, he referred to his successor, with a particular emphasis on the female pronoun. It was widely interpreted as a reference to Roberta Metsola. In the following days, Metsola kept her cards close to her chest, refusing to entertain media speculation that she might ditch Brussels for Malta and the PN. As the pressure grew, she threw the gauntlet, choosing Brussels. From all the PN MPs, including the seasoned ones, none came forward - only Adrian Delia and Alex Borg did. Truth be told, taking the helm of a party with a huge hole in its finances and dominated as it is by an old establishment that holds the PN tightly from its neck is not exactly enticing.

A CONTEST

The PN tesserati shall now decide the fate of their party in the coming weeks. Their choice is a tried and tested former party leader who was ousted by 17 PN MPs and who has now made a comeback or his rival, who earlier this week, in a Facebook campaign video said that it had always been his aspiration to become PN leader.

AT MILE END

And whilst it will be a busy and hot summer for the PN, at Mile End, the Labour Party headquarters, it will be a busy summer too for the Labour Party. 

The Labour Party does not sit on it laurels and the fact that the Nationalist Party is in disarray is not a point of consideration. 

It is becoming increasingly obvious that faced with weak opposition, the Labour Party must be the fiercest critic of its own government. This is what it has successfully managed to do since 2013 and which it still does to date.

The Labour Party keeps the government on its toes to ensure that the aspirations of the majority who voted Labour in 2022, and even those who did not, are met.

ACROSS GOVERNMENT

Last Sunday, speaking on the Labour Party TV station, ONE, Prime Minister Robert Abela said that whilst Maltese and Gozitan families are of course encouraged to enjoy the beautiful summer months, as is their right us, his Cabinet members, need to pull up our socks further and work even harder to ensure that the remaining 30% of the Labour Party manifesto is delivered successfully and efficiently. 

ACHIEVING TOGETHER

Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting several studio executives, directors, and foreign producers who were invited to the Mediterrane Film Festival to see what our country has to offer. The biggest names in the film servicing industry, including Russell Crowe, were here. It was a week to be remembered for the Maltese film servicing industry.

The Mediterrane Film festival has the aim of showcasing the possibilities that our country offers in film servicing through our beautiful architecture, our infrastructure, and our talented Maltese crew. 55 screenings offered a rich blend of films for all, from distinctive Mediterranean works to popular films that drew large audiences at Fort Ricasoli.

ONE BILLION EUROS

In just 5 years, our investment in the film industry generated one billion euros for Malta. We are committed to creating more and better paid jobs for the Maltese in the film servicing industry. Eight out of ten people in the sector are Maltese. It is an industry that reflects the high standards we want our country to reach, and nothing has showcased this better than the third edition of the Mediterrane Film Festival.

DREAM BIGGER

In 2023 alone, 18% of Malta's economic growth came directly from the film servicing industry. Never did we have a strong and durable film servicing industry as we do today. But we are not finished yet. The best is yet to come.  Our focus now is to excel further. To dream bigger and achieve further.

BETTER PAID JOBS

We know what we want, and we are determined to achieve it. We want more Maltese to work in the industry. We want better paid jobs for them all. We want more global producers to look at Malta and say: The beautiful country with the best talent for our business.

If there is anything we can learn from the last seven years, it is that change is never easy, but always possible. We believed, and we achieved. We know that a stronger film servicing industry, creating more jobs, and better paid jobs is possible.

BIGGER SUCCESS

Our exceptional track record speaks for itself - the difference is that now the way forward is not a leap into the unknown but a journey whose direction we know. There is something happening when we all come together to make this industry an even bigger success.

This week, together with Dr Luke Dalli, Executive Chairman at Arts Council Malta, we launched a national awareness campaign focused on promoting the Right to Culture. 

The initiative celebrates artistic freedom of expression and cultural access for all, emphasising the importance of participation and cultural accessibility.

3 LARGE CUBES

The campaign kicks off with the installation of three large cubes near the Triton Fountain, Valletta. Each cube illuminates a different creative discipline. Audiences will be able to move around the installation, immersing themselves in the vibrant energy of real-time creation.

CULTURE AT THE HEART

This campaign reflects the government's ongoing commitment to placing culture at the heart of national development. Through sustained investment and targeted support, we are not only fulfilling our electoral promise to strengthen the cultural sector but also ensuring that no artist or community is left behind. The Right to Culture is not just a slogan. It is a pledge we are actively delivering.