Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542275
13 LOOKING BACK 2025 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 DECEMBER 2025 surges but gravitas lags populists and technocrats who see migrant labour as an eco- nomic necessity. While Borg addresses this issue cautiously, Delia's brash messaging carries the day with supporters. The problem for the PN is that under Borg it still lacks a defining battle cry which can translate angst on increased densities in a wider and more credible roadmap. Instead, Borg tends to be trigger-hap- py with proposals that range from a child trust fund to a pilot study on a 35-hour week. The proposals are not bad but without a strong thematic an- chor, Delia, with his rants on overpopulation, is filling a gap and giving supporters an emo- tional cause, albeit one which can easily swerve into far-right territory. Borg has been more success- ful in managing governance issues. Having distanced him- self from Repubblika before becoming leader, he can reach out to crucial segments in the PN's coalition—even by par- ticipating in a vigil for Daphne Caruana Galizia—without be- ing seen as under their direct control. Difficult balancing acts Some of Borg's own balanc- ing acts risk alienating seg- ments of his potential elec- torate. In his first 100 days, he warded off fears of a lurch to the right prompted by past social conservative positions and admiration for figures like Giorgia Meloni and Donald Trump. He has kept George Vital Zammit—a liberal cen- trist intellectual and Trump critic—in charge of drafting the party manifesto. His early appearance at the Pride March and his relationship with so- cial media celebrity Sarah Ba- jada—a divorced single moth- er—have endeared him to segments pushed away during the divorce referendum and the stifling conservativism of the Gonzi years. Yet, Borg's meeting with arch-conservative Edwin Vas- sallo, in which the latter of- fered to assist the party, un- settled the few social liberals remaining in the PN. Although the party clarified that Vas- sallo has no policymaking role, questions lingered about common ground between him and Borg. A broad-church par- ty needs clear boundaries to avoid sending mixed messages. Borg's intransigent stance against abortion provides an identity anchor that keeps conservatives on board with- out forcing compromises on issues like LGBTIQ rights. But public opinion could shift over time, posing future challenges. Ambiguity also surrounds Borg's stance on land use and environmental protection. His vague remarks about towers in Gozo—later retracted—and past support for Chambray have raised questions about where he draws the line on de- velopment issues. While this can be a double-edged sword in a nation where high prop- erty ownership benefits sell- ers but burdens buyers, such ambiguity on planning poli- cies may backfire whenever he is expected to defend local communities from developers' greed. Borg's balancing acts of- ten create new precipices to be navigated. An early bid to prove his green credentials by rushing to parliament with a proposal to entrench environ- mental rights in the Consti- tution exposed him to attacks from hunters and festa enthu- siasts. The PN then proposed that hunters be exempted from a legal notice aimed at prevent- ing recreational use of agricul- tural land. Labour's strong ties to the hunting lobby remain a challenge, particularly in Gozo and rural areas, but the PN risks alienating a substantial portion of Maltese frustrated by repeated compromises. Biggest challenge Borg's central electoral chal- lenge is winning over non-vot- ers—around 20% of the elec- torate, who lean towards Labour. To succeed, he must convince them he would be a better prime minister than Abela. Otherwise, many could return to Labour, giving Abela another landslide. Surveys suggest that despite Labour's efforts to bring them back, these voters remain un- committed, but dynamics could shift once campaigning begins. Still, Labour should not un- derestimate Borg. He has shown agility, strong instincts, and the ability to generate mo- mentum in a fatigued party. Crucially, he is liked. But his leadership will be continuous- ly tested, with Labour aware of his thinnest armour—gravitas, depth, and consistency. For now, Borg has given the PN something it had long for- gotten—hope and a fighting chance. Whether he can con- vert that into a real bid for power remains to be seen. The next year will determine whether Alex Borg can evolve from a likeable Opposition leader into a serious contender for the office of prime minis- ter. He will not have an easy ride. on in the background (Photo: PN) Opposition leader Alex Borg's key speech in parliament was his reaction to the budget, delivered a month after becoming leader (Photo: PN) The problem for the PN is that under Borg it still lacks a defining battle cry which can translate angst on increased densities in a wider and more credible roadmap