Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542372
THE year started with a big bang. I thought the business of kidnap- ping political leaders of countries was something of the past. The last time it happened was in 1989 in Panama. But, at 79, Donald J. Trump is indeed something from the past, a sort of medieval medi- ocre narcissist with no shame and no respect for what is right or wrong. What happens abroad has never been of great conse- quence to Maltese. But what is happening today with Trump disregarding international law and taking matters in his own hands, will cause great conster- nation in the world. It is unlaw- ful to go into a country and act in such a shameless manner as the US did in Venezuela on Saturday. Such a dramatic start to 2026 indicates that this year prom- ises to be full of surprises on a global level with Trump at- tempting to impose his own kind vision on the world. His idea of regime change or politi- cal change is remarkable for its audacity. Here we have someone who wants Greenland for the US and Canada as the 51st State. What we think in Malta is of no consequence on the in- ternational stage. But what is wrong is wrong, irrespective of whether the action is per- petrated against a dictator or another elected political lead- er. This is what international law states. But unfortunately, today, the US, Israel and Russia do not give a hoot about inter- national law and this does not bode well. The history of US interven- tion in third countries shows that this has always been fol- lowed by anarchy and chaos because there is never a clear plan for the transition of power in the wake of the vacuum that is created. The chaos and trag- edy in Iraq were a case in point. If in Malta we have any influ- ence, it is about how our pol- iticians act and behave when they engage in a discussion or a debate about the US. Malta can never be on the side of a bul- ly who ignores international law. It is only a rules-based or- der laid down by international law that protects defenceless and small states like Malta and when that is discarded, aban- doned and ignored, we are all at risk. Within this context, Mal- ta should not be a proponent of the Nobel Peace Prize for a primitive tyrant, whose actions are nothing more than a threat to our very own existence. Election year? As the year kicks off, the ques- tion we are all asking is wheth- er this will be election year. It is a question that not even Prime Minister Robert Abela has an answer for despite ruling it out in an interview last month. Few doubt that Abela would very much like to do his full five years. But there are a few considerations that may con- strain him to act otherwise in 2026. The first reflection is linked to the electoral ratings of Na- tionalist leader Alex Borg. If Borg's ratings continue to rise, Abela will or could consider an early election. If Borg falters, then Abela will sit back and aim for an unbroken five years. The other concern is the Yor- gen Fenech trial by jury. It is the case of the decade. No one really knows what the defence could have up its sleeve but if Yorgen Fenech decides to testify, what he says could po- tentially have serious political implications for the Abela ad- ministration. There is also unease over the possibility of another cor- ruption scandal erupting that could eat away at Abela's popu- larity and increase the elector- ate's frustration. Boredom and exasperation with unresolved problems such as foreign workers, construc- tion and traffic are variables that can only hurt Abela over a long period since solutions cannot be immediate or polit- ically palatable. One thing I am certain of is that prolonged uncertain- ty over the election date can only work in the Opposition's favour and that is something Abela will keep in mind. 7 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 4 JANUARY 2026 OPINION Saviour Balzan Founder and co-owner of Media Today, publisher of MaltaToday, he is a TV host and pollster 2026: So, it begins! Malta can never be on the side of a bully who ignores international law. It is only a rules-based order laid down by international law that protects defenceless and small states like Malta and when that is discarded, abandoned and ignored, we are all at risk 2026 will be dominated by Trump and an answer to when the national election will be held in Malta