Alex Borg and Adrian Delia made their final appeals to Nationalist Party members, in a calm debate aired on party media on Monday night.

40% of the PN’s members have already made their choice and voted in early voting days, with the remainder of the electorate able to vote on election day on Saturday to see who between Borg and Delia will be the successor to Bernard Grech.

The duo faced off in a second and final debate aired on NET TV on Monday night which was a calm affair, with neither candidate offering any interruption – or even retort – to the other throughout the hour or so event.

Asked by moderator Robert Cremona how they would attract undecided voters to the party, Delia leaned on his characteristics as a person, saying that one of his main traits is that he is persistent even when the odds are stacked against him. He cited the hospitals case – which he fronted – as an example, saying that “what seemed impossible became possible.”

Borg meanwhile said that he believes that a “revolutionary” change in the party’s politics and rhetoric can convince a lot of people.  He described those who did not vote in the last European Parliament elections as being practically a third party by themselves, and said that this is the audience that needs to be targeted for the PN to win the next general election.

As he answered, Borg brandished a MaltaToday survey and said that this showed that he can transfer non-voters to his side more than Robert Abela can.

The next general election

The next general election was, in fact, a recurring theme during the debate.  Both candidates fully expressed their belief that a snap election is on the horizon – something that Robert Abela himself had not ruled out earlier this summer.

Delia put technology at the centre of how he would go about trying to win the next general election.  He said that the party needed to harness technology and artificial intelligence in order to make sure that everyone’s views and issues are heard and addressed.

He said that under his leadership he would implement a ‘Digital Hub’ at the PN’s headquarters which would compile what people are telling different branches of the party so the PN can understand the electorate and understand how to put its message forward.

Delia also said that he would transfer that into ‘Campaign Hubs’ which would operate the party’s campaigns, and also reach out to those who feel that they have been hard done by the PN in the past so that they can win them back. He also pledged to retain George Vital Zammit in the leadership of the process of the building of the party’s electoral manifesto.

Borg meanwhile said that “a sense of humility” would win the election, because the Labour Party in government “has lost every sense of humility.

“A change in our rhetoric can convince a lot of people… a generational change in mentality, political message, how we see society,” he said.

Borg also said that he would immediately appoint a Campaign Manager to start working on an electoral campaign, and also launch a crowdfunding campaign so that the party is ready for an election immediately.

He also pledged to carry out a national convention – which will be open to the public – for the party to hear all views and ascertain its way forward.  Borg said that he would like George Vital Zammit to be the person to chair this convention.

He said he would create a Gozo Policy Team, and also continue with outreach events that he has been holding during the leadership campaign, with one day a week also being dedicated to the party leader being on the ground in a particular locality.

PN’s headquarters will not be sold, both candidates pledge

Both Delia and Borg promised that the party’s headquarters in Pieta would not be sold.

Delia said that the headquarters – known as id-Dar Centrali – had to serve as it is named: as a home for the party, where people can go and discuss ideas and be welcomed, even if they are not a formal part of the party.

He said that the PN can address its financial problems by using its capital assets to create stronger income streams, making a more efficient party, reducing the weight of interests on repayments, and look into what type of aid can be used to support the party’s revenue.

Borg meanwhile said he would not sell anything. “I am proud that we have a big portfolio of assets that belongs to the party and wasn’t stolen from the private sector,” he said in a jibe to the Labour Party, adding that it’s his responsibility to guarantee that every club remains wide open for everyone.

Unity is ‘crucial’, ‘fundamental’

Both candidates described unity as being key: Delia described it as “fundamental” and Borg described it as “crucial.”

“We need an electoral campaign where we will be together.  We want to give our members a party which is united,” Delia said.

He said that the country is at a precipice. “A leader shows direction – in the last five years I have shown that service is what matters… that it’s not I who comes first. I’m not saying it because we’re in an election campaign for party leader – I’m saying it because I believe the future of our country is depending on us,” Delia said.

Borg meanwhile said that this is not just a very delicate moment for the PN, but for Malta and Gozo as a whole, because the party’s members are choosing tomorrow’s Prime Minister.

“Unity is imperative. People out there will never elect a divided party. They want stability, tranquillity and peace of mind – and that’s what I promise to give,” Borg said.

Final words: Delia leans on experience, Borg says it’s time to look forward

Both candidates were given an opportunity to say their final words in the hope of swaying the remaining 60% of the party membership base still left to vote.

“There were some who asked me why they should trust me again,” Delia said, referring to his ill-fated first tenure as PN leader.

“I made mistakes. I was still new.  I hadn’t been in politics – and when the spotlights are on you and barrages come from everywhere, it leads to mistakes.  In these last 8 years I have not given up: I have learnt and I have done nothing to hurt my party. I showed the essential characteristic of Adrian Delia – that I never give up.  I recognise what I went through: it taught me, it grew me, and it made me ready to offer this service,” Delia said.

Borg meanwhile said that members had a clear decision before them – one which will decide where the party and the country will go.

“The PN is at a crossroads where we need to decide whether to look forward or back.  When we looked forward, we won.  I entered this contest because there was a call from the people and the party.  This is the moment where we decide where we want to take our party and our country,” he said.