PN Leader Alex Borg insisted that the PN is "united and focused" despite speculation about internal rivalries and challenges facing the party.
He was being interviewed during a party event by MaltaToday online editor Karl Azzopardi. Borg was asked questions ranging from unity and financial struggles to reforms, foreign workers and Malta's neutrality,
He stressed that his leadership will be defined by delivery and transparency.
Borg, who was elected PN leader by a narrow margin, dismissed suggestions that he faces opposition from within his own parliamentary group. "Do not worry - no one is trying to scare me or challenge me. We have a united party," he said, adding that people are already seeing "new hope" within the PN and that his role is to ensure promises made are kept.
He noted that one of his first moves was the creation of a Leadership Delivery Office tasked with ensuring commitments are met, saying that "the PN must show that what we say, we deliver." He also addressed criticism that the shadow cabinet has not yet been reshuffled under his leadership, pointing out that "unlike the government, which must form its cabinet within a few days, the Nationalist Party already has its shadow ministers in place." He made it clear that he does not feel threatened by colleagues, insisting that "there is no one trying to undermine me" and that the PN remains united behind him.
Asked about his relationship with Adrian Delia, Borg underlined that his very first meeting as leader was with Delia himself, a gesture he said was meant to send a clear signal of unity. "To show how good our relationship is, my first meeting was with Adrian Delia. This is a Labour tactic to try to divide the party, but we will remain united," he remarked. He downplayed cryptic social media posts made by Delia in recent weeks, saying that instead the two have been focused on discussing how to build "a winning party to defeat Labour." "My opponent is not Adrian - it is the Labour Party," he added.
Borg acknowledged the party's longstanding financial struggles but said that does not prevent him from moving forward with reform. He confirmed the appointment of a financial officer to address the party's situation, arguing that "just because we have financial problems doesn't mean we cannot appoint someone to help us move forward." He added that some of those working with him have opted to do so voluntarily, "out of love for the party, Malta and Gozo." Borg pledged to publish his campaign costings in the coming days, stressing that "transparency will be our approach. Labour never publishes the truth about its debts, but we will be open with the people."
Defending his decision to appoint a woman as the PN's new Chief Executive Officer, Borg accused Labour of attacking her solely because of her gender. "Instead of congratulating us for appointing a woman, Labour immediately attacked her because she is a woman. But I have no problem appointing women - I believe in their skills and abilities. This is not for appearance's sake," he insisted, describing her as a "successful entrepreneur and capable professional." He also confirmed plans for a deputy leader focused specifically on parliamentary affairs, explaining that the deputy leader for parliamentary work will be chosen by members as part of a structural reform within the PN.
Turning to national issues, Borg criticised the Labour government's approach to planning reform, saying that it was imposing decisions without proper consultation. "The government is not consulting anyone, but simply forcing decisions on the people. When I spoke with the Prime Minister, I made it clear - where there is common interest we will cooperate, but we will not allow Labour to roll over the Maltese people," he said. Borg reiterated the PN's support for proper reform, not what he described as "minor tweaks," and recalled that the PN had already pushed for parliamentary debate and a public investigation into controversial land and development issues. Referring to the Fortina case and the NAO report, Borg said: "We pressured Parliament to discuss it openly, and we also asked for a public investigation - that is a win for the PN."
On the question of foreign workers, Borg said the PN would call for a comprehensive labour market study to determine the true number of regular and irregular migrants in Malta. "The government has brought in thousands of foreign workers but has given no clear account of how many are here legally or illegally," he argued. The PN's proposals, he said, include incentivising Maltese students to enter under-served industries, guaranteeing jobs for graduates, and increasing stipends to match the minimum wage. "We will reopen Trade School to encourage technical education. We must ensure that Maltese workers are included and supported in these sectors," Borg declared.
On foreign policy, Borg reaffirmed his commitment to Malta's constitutional neutrality while calling for greater investment in the country's defence structures. "Europe is already investing in defence. The Labour government says that Roberta Metsola is pushing us towards war, but then it invests in European structures itself," he remarked. He said his priority was peacebuilding, pointing to his own advocacy for the recognition of Palestine. "We must fight for peace, not just in words but in actions," he said, while also expressing support for sanctions against those responsible for killings, noting that accountability was essential.
Despite the obstacles, Borg expressed optimism about the PN's future under his leadership. He pointed to the 90,000 voters who abstained in the last election, a group he considers crucial to the PN's electoral chances. "It shows clearly that those people would rather see Alex Borg than Robert Abela, even before I was leader. I believe we have a beautiful future ahead of us," he said. He described his political project as one aimed at building "a party of the people, with the people," adding that it was time to look ahead rather than dwell on past mistakes. "It is time to look forward, not back. My promise is to keep the PN close to the people, and I will keep it," he affirmed.
Reflecting on his ambitions, Borg insisted he did not take the role for personal gain. "I did not enter this role for personal ambitions, but to leave a positive impact on Malta and Gozo. Already we are seeing more youth activism, and people are feeling new energy in the PN," he concluded.