Newly-elected Labour MP Yana Borg Debono Grech said she now supports the gender-corrective mechanism, despite previously opposing it. Her experience as a public figure convinced her that Malta remains "a man's world", making the mechanism necessary to increase women's representation.

Speaking to The Malta Independent on Sunday, Borg Debono Grech said that the mechanism should not be permanent, expressing hope that one day women will be elected in sufficient numbers without corrective measures. She argued that women need a stronger voice in Parliament because men cannot fully represent or explain women's experiences. That being said, she warned against the perception that female candidates no longer need votes because they can rely on the mechanism, saying this mentality should be avoided.

Borg Debono Grech said that during her general election campaign, she prioritised door-to-door home visits over media campaigning to better understand residents' concerns. The campaign changed her understanding of what many residents expect from politicians. The most common message she heard was that many people did not necessarily need a politician to solve their problems, but someone to guide them through personal difficulties. Borg Debono Grech encountered both residents raising individual personal concerns and those focused on broader local issues, and she sought to address both. She described the role of a political representative as sometimes being about helping people find the right support rather than simply solving problems on their behalf.

Reflecting on succeeding her grandfather Joe Debono Grech, who served as an MP for over 50 years, Borg Debono Grech said it was meaningful to occupy the same parliamentary seat and continue her family's tradition of public service. She said that meeting residents who remembered her grandfather reminded her of the long-lasting connection he had built with communities over decades. Some residents told her that he had visited their homes before her, which helped her understand the trust and personal relationships he had developed throughout his political career. However, she rejected the idea that her grandfather's legacy simply made politics easier. While many voters remembered him fondly - helping her establish rapport on the doorstep - she said being associated with her family could also make it harder to win over people who disagreed with them politically.

Borg Debono Grech said family-related issues, including work-life balance, would be among her priorities during her parliamentary term. As a mother, she said she understands the difficulties many families face in balancing professional responsibilities with time spent with loved ones. She also highlighted mental health awareness as an area requiring more attention, saying that the pressures of combining family life and a career can affect people even when they have not personally experienced mental health struggles. Asked what the biggest challenges facing her districts are, Borg Debono Grech said that districts 1 and 8 need more open spaces, arguing that the solution is not necessarily creating new gardens but opening privately-owned green areas through public-private partnerships so families and children could use them.

Infrastructure also remains a priority. Borg Debono Grech acknowledged that many roads have already been upgraded, but said that significant work is still needed, particularly on pedestrian infrastructure. She argued that pavements should be included whenever roads are constructed or upgraded, rather than being treated as an afterthought. She said caring for her mother, who used a wheelchair, and later pushing a baby's pushchair made her realise how inaccessible many pavements are, reinforcing the need for better infrastructure for people with disabilities and parents. She called for stronger communication between the government and local councils to ensure infrastructure projects include proper pedestrian facilities. While acknowledging the significant investment already made in infrastructure, she emphasised that much work remains to be done.

"The pavement shouldn't be built after the road, but with the road," Borg Debono Grech said.

Turning to the topic of population growth, Borg Debono Grech said Malta's economy depends on foreign workers, particularly in sectors where there are not enough Maltese willing to work, but argued that population growth should be better balanced. She backed the government's inspections targeting people without legal status, saying she fully agrees with efforts to remove those who are in Malta illegally. While acknowledging public concerns about population pressures, she said foreigners should not be blamed, arguing they are essential to keeping the economy and key services functioning.

"The economy is as it is because of foreigners," Borg Debono Grech said.

On balancing development and the environment, Borg Debono Grech argued that the economy cannot simply be "stopped" in the name of environmental protection, as doing so would harm the country. She said the Labour government is already striking a balance by expanding public open spaces, citing the return of Manoel Island to the public, and investing in family-friendly projects.

Asked about governance controversies, Borg Debono Grech said that the ministers involved in such controversies had taken responsibility by resigning. According to her, lessons had been learnt, and there was transparency. She added that there is always room for improvement.

On the topic of the latest general election, Borg Debono Grech said the drop in Labour's vote margin, after four consecutive election victories, was expected, arguing that any party in government for so long would likely see its support decrease. She said the party needs to respond to people's concerns, particularly around financial pressures and quality of life. Borg Debono Grech identified improving quality of life as a key factor that could help Labour regain support from voters who moved away from the party. She highlighted her own experience of not always being able to spend time with her son, saying that time has become one of the most important priorities in life.

Borg Debono Grech said a strong Opposition is healthy for democracy and can help the government improve through criticism. She said the Nationalist Party should focus on constructive criticism that benefits Maltese and Gozitan citizens rather than simply opposing the government. She therefore does not see the Nationalist Party as a "threat" but rather as a necessity for a healthy political competition