Nationalist Party Leader Alex Borg has called for a "new Independence" for Malta, this time from a political culture that, he said, controls institutions and makes citizens dependent on those in power.
Opening the PN's 2026 Independence celebrations at the Floriana Granaries on Friday, Borg said that, 62 years after Independence, Maltese citizens were once again being called upon to stand up, make their voices heard and work towards a better country.
The celebrations are being held under the theme "A free country. A country without fear."
Borg said the achievement of Independence under former Prime Minister Ġorġ Borg Olivier had made Malta a sovereign country capable of taking its own decisions. However, he stressed that freedom could never be taken for granted and had to be continually safeguarded and defended.
"What is the point of celebrating Independence if institutions that are meant to be independent end up being controlled by politicians in power?" he asked.
Referring to evidence and revelations that emerged during the trial concerning the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, Borg said these continued to highlight how individuals close to political power had acted in their own interests rather than in the national interest.
He said Malta needed institutions that served citizens, politics that served the national interest and a political system in which people could speak, work and succeed without fear or political control.
Borg also stressed the importance of education in creating a generation of critical thinkers. He called for greater investment in educators and the resources needed to ensure citizens were capable of thinking independently.
Press freedom was another key issue raised by the PN leader, who said journalists must be able to work without intimidation. He reiterated the PN's call for anti-SLAPP legislation to be introduced as soon as possible.
Borg said the next five years would be crucial for Malta and that the country needed a direction that delivered not only economic strength but also a place where citizens could live comfortably, with security and peace of mind.
The discussion included contributions from lawyer and former police officer Edmond Cuschieri, former diplomat Michael Cluett, education professional Angele Pulis, lawyer and former journalist David Bonello, and lawyer Arthur Galea Salomone.
The speakers discussed the impact of Caruana Galizia's assassination, the state of Malta's institutions, justice, press freedom, the implementation of Public Inquiry recommendations, education, Malta's international reputation and the effects of a culture of impunity.
Borg appealed particularly to young people to make their voices heard, saying more people were overcoming their fear and joining the PN's efforts to offer solutions.
"This is the Malta we want to build together: a free country and a country without fear," he said.