Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1537460
7 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 13 JULY 2025 FEATURE Adrian Delia vs Alex Borg They sat down separately with Karl Azzopardi and Nicole Meilak for a set of quickfire questions. If you win the leadership race, are you simply keeping the seat warm for Roberta Metsola until after the general election? AD: Absolutely not. For no one. AB: If I win [the leadership race], I'll go into the election with a winning mentality to try and win it. Should the gender corrective mechanism be kept? AD: There is already a sunset clause, which means it will be eventually removed. AB: I believe that today we have many highly capable women in the Maltese Parliament. However, I think that perhaps things could be changed in some way, because I believe that women are capable. Very capable... I believe that we shouldn't remove it entirely, but rather modify it in such a way that still shows women the respect they deserve. I don't believe women need help. Women are fully capable in their own right and don't need legal assistance to get into parliament. Today, we have women who have succeeded not only on a local level but also internationally. Do you agree with children being taught about different gender identities in school? AD: Teaching is always a good thing. AB: I believe it depends on their age. We need to give them time to understand the reality out there. When they reach the age when they can really understand the realities out there, I see no problem that they understand all the realities that exist in our society. Should Malta close its doors to workers from outside the European Union? AD: No, but it should limit the economy's dependence on them. AB: Today, of course, as we know, there are sectors that depend entirely on foreigners… So, saying "enough of foreigners" is impossible because the economy would collapse. However, we should find measures to incentivise more Maltese people to continue working in the trades. I believe the trade schools should reopen… but cutting out foreign workers entirely nowadays is not practical. The reality is that we have sectors that depend completely on them… but we should limit this where necessary and make use of the local workforce to keep these sectors running. Do you commit yourself that if you are elected prime minister, development zones will not increase by one inch? AD: Yes, and I believe the Nationalist Party has already declared this. AB: If I become Prime Minister... I believe that today the local plans need to be revised, but when they are revised, it doesn't mean there will be regression, there will be sustainable progress. Meaning, you have to find localities where there can be open spaces and where we can have greenery. But at the same time, progress is essential, it just has to be sustainable progress. Should the subsidies on electricity, water and fuel remain? AD: For now, yes. AB: In the present circumstances, yes; without subsidies the utility bills will start to rise. But I believe there are other alternatives through which bills can actually be reduced even more than they currently are and these would be long-term solutions. Subsidies are short term... From 0 to 5, how much do you admire Donald Trump? AD: 1, if it is the lowest. AB: Nowadays, maybe 2 or 3. What is the last book you read? AD: Don't laugh at me. Paddington in London with my son. AB: Erm... one about Eddie Fenech Adami. One word to describe your rival in this race. AD on Alex: Hardworking. AB on Adrian: Loyalty. Watch the video on maltatoday.com.mt and our socials