Nationalist Party Leader Alex Borg was sworn in as the Leader of the Opposition in a ceremony on Wednesday, officially becoming the youngest Opposition Leader in Malta’s history at 30 years old.

The Leader of the Opposition is a role outlined within the Constitution and is an official position held by the leader of the party in parliament with the second most MPs.

Borg was elected to parliament in 2022 as the PN’s most popular candidate in Gozo, and three years on was elected as PN Leader in a close race with Adrian Delia in an election which took place last Saturday.

Borg arrived at the ceremony, which took place at the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta, alongside his partner, Sarah Bajada, as well as PN General Secretary Charles Bonello and Deputy Leader Alex Perici Calascione.

President Myriam Spiteri Debono led the ceremony, as she swore Borg in as Opposition Leader, making him the first ever Gozitan to take on the role in addition to being the youngest.

During the ceremony, Borg took an oath of loyalty as well as an oath of office, in which he swore to be loyal towards the people and the Republic of Malta, as well as the Constitution of Malta.

President Spiteri Debono congratulated Borg, and Borg replied by thanking the President as well as his own family and the Maltese and Gozitan people.

Borg said that this is a “crucial moment”; a moment which he said should unite the country rather than divide it. Borg commented that he wants to be involved in politics that “forget our differences, forget the colours red and blue, but remember the colours white and red,” referring to the colours of the Maltese flag. “We above all else are Maltese and Gozitans,” he remarked, “and through this position, I want to see a more united country.”

He added that above all, he wants to work for those suffering and for all Maltese and Gozitans with goodwill who wish to see their country do better.

For her part, the President said that she has noted Borg’s words since being elected as the Leader of the Nationalist Party, particularly referring to the focus on unity. She also spoke of Borg’s focus on giving importance to youths, as she remarked that “the country is for the youth”. She said that it is up to those of a certain age to see to it that there are those who continue working for all Maltese and Gozitans. “With persuasion and dialogue, you can manage,” she said.