The Nationalist Party held a public activity in Żebbuġ as part of its “Qrib Tagħkom” series, where several speakers, including party leader Alex Borg, addressed a range of national issues ahead of the upcoming budget.
The event featured discussions on tourism, environmental sustainability, mental health, and work-life balance, with participants emphasising the importance of people-centred policymaking.
Opening the discussion, George Cassar stressed that environmental protection should not be viewed as an afterthought but as a central pillar of Malta’s development strategy. He argued that tourism and environmental preservation must coexist, warning that uncontrolled construction and overdevelopment threaten the island’s natural heritage and quality of life. Cassar stated that Malta’s attractiveness as a tourist destination depends on protecting open spaces and coastal areas, calling for policies that prioritise long-term sustainability over short-term profit.
Anna Borg, a social policy expert, highlighted the challenges faced by working families in balancing career and family life, describing work as the common denominator among many of today’s social issues. She noted that around 80% of Malta’s population is in employment, with more than 300,000 people working daily. However, despite high employment rates, Malta’s birth rate remains extremely low at 1.06 children per woman — one of the lowest in Europe. Borg observed that much of the increase in births is now coming from mothers of international backgrounds, reflecting shifting demographics.
She explained that the burden of childcare still largely falls on mothers and that Malta’s current parental leave system is not sufficiently supportive. Borg said it has been years since the country reviewed whether its current leave entitlement is adequate, pointing out that maternity leave remains at 18 weeks, while paternity leave is only 10 days. Parental leave, she added, is often bound by restrictive conditions that discourage parents from using it. Borg also raised concerns about time poverty, saying that many families — particularly women — feel they have little time left for family life due to work demands.
To address these issues, she proposed that maternity leave be extended to one year, accompanied by a more flexible parental leave framework. Borg also suggested the introduction of a “parent tax 2” scheme, which would allow parents to retain more disposable income — estimating that a family with a second child could gain up to €8,000 annually. Additionally, she advocated for the exploration of a four-day work week, stating that Malta should begin experimenting with alternative work structures to improve quality of life.
Sociologist and broadcaster Andrew Azzopardi turned the discussion to mental health, noting that rising stress levels and social pressures are affecting many citizens, particularly young people. He said that Malta’s mental health system needs urgent reform, highlighting that Mount Carmel Hospital remains in poor condition despite repeated calls for improvement. Azzopardi said the facility’s outdated infrastructure and lack of adequate resources reflect a long-standing neglect of mental health care in Malta. He urged policymakers to invest more in community-based services and to treat mental health with the same importance as physical health, adding that stigma continues to deter people from seeking help.
Political analyst George Vital Zammit spoke about the current political landscape, arguing that Malta requires a renewed sense of accountability and transparency. He remarked that good governance depends on consistent respect for institutions and an engaged civil society. Zammit also reflected on the role of leadership in promoting national unity, saying that political debate should focus on solutions rather than divisions.
Closing the event, PL leader Alex Borg reiterated that the PN remains close to people’s daily concerns and is preparing policy proposals that reflect this commitment.
He said that the “Qrib Tagħkom” initiative aims to bring the party’s representatives directly to local communities, listening to citizens’ needs and translating them into actionable policies.
Borg added that the upcoming budget would be a key moment to measure the government’s priorities, urging for a financial plan that addresses inflation, strengthens essential services, and ensures a better quality of life for all Maltese and Gozitan families.