Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542941
6 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 30 JANUARY 2026 NEWS PN leader Alex Borg said the PN wants to "give a new dream to the Maltese and Gozitan people" and, from government, fulfil that dream, as he addressed the closing session of the party's General Council in Gozo on Sunday. Speaking at the General Council themed Dan hu l-Mument at the Grand Hotel in Għajnsielem, Borg said the PN aims to be a government that respects citizens, listens and leads the country forward with hope and dignity. He said people are looking for leadership that can restore hope and that the PN is pre- senting a clear alternative based on the realities of everyday life. Borg said the party is focusing on the themes discussed in the motions tabled at the council, including quality of life, fair economic growth, strong communi- ties, respect for citizens and long-term planning. He expressed solidarity with those af- fected by the recent storm, particularly Gozitans who were stranded for hours between Malta and Gozo, and thanked emergency service workers, Gozo Chan- nel employees and teachers who contin- ued working despite difficult conditions. Borg said recent events and repeated damage had further exposed a lack of prevention and infrastructure invest- ment, referring to the Marsalforn break- water promised years ago but still not built. On governance, Borg said the govern- ment is operating with a mentality of excuses and crisis management rather than vision and planning. He said issues at Gozo Channel, the housing crisis and the resignation of former minister Rod- erick Galdes were symptoms of a gov- ernment failing in its responsibilities. Borg said the resignation of "yet anoth- er government minister" showed that accountability does not require force, adding that Galdes should have resigned weeks earlier and remained in office until the eve of further damaging reve- lations. He said the public expects po- litical maturity and responsibility from those in leadership. He also referred to what he described as chaos at ARMS, saying thousands of families received bills without the Eco-Reduction, a problem he said was known internally but only addressed after being exposed by the Opposition. Borg said political appointments based on loyalty rather than merit led to injus- tice, waste and a lack of accountability. Addressing quality of life, Borg said Malta needs a serious change in politics, with quality of life as the main measure of progress. He cited a recently published report showing Maltese people as the second-highest spenders on medicines in the European Union, despite lower wages and pensions, saying this is plac- ing growing pressure on families and the elderly and is the result of hidden taxes introduced by the current government. Referring to a survey published ear- lier in the day, Borg said that while the PN is no longer 40,000 votes behind, it remains the underdog and still has sig- nificant work to do. He said the survey nonetheless shows more people seeing hope in the PN, adding that the party's strength lies in its people rather than media ownership or incumbency. PN deputy leader Alex Perici Calas- cione said Malta and Gozo are at a cru- cial moment requiring political responsi- bility and national maturity, as decisions in the coming months will shape the country's future. He called for less con- frontation and more action to support families, workers and businesses facing the cost of living, as well as policies to address traffic, environmental pressures and record public debt. Perici Calascione criticised what he described as an economic model intro- duced after 2013 that relied heavily on population growth, as well as a culture of privileges, political appointments and weak accountability. He said anyone who wants a better Malta and Gozo can be part of the change, so that a party mo- ment can become a national one. PN secretary general Charles Bonel- lo said the General Council confirmed the party's vision for a better Malta and Gozo based on concrete proposals and a people-centred approach. He criticised the government for failing to deliver on promises in Gozo, referring to projects such as a new hospital, improved con- nectivity, a new court, road infrastruc- ture and essential services. Bonello said many social services now highlighted by the government were in- troduced by previous Nationalist admin- istrations, while the current government had failed to create new quality services or industries over more than 13 years. He described Borg as a credible alterna- tive who understands people's realities and is gaining public trust, and appealed for unity and commitment within the party. Interventions during the council were also delivered by PN MPs Eve Borg Bonello, Stanley Zammit, Rebekah Borg, Darren Carabott and Beppe Fenech Ad- ami, as well as party officials, mayors and election candidates. The council approved motions presented following discussions held in regional assemblies the previous week. The General Council was chaired by its president, Mark Anthony Sammut, who said the PN convened its Political Gen- eral Council in Gozo for the first time in 20 years and for the first time under Borg's leadership. He said the meeting served as a prelude to the General Convention scheduled for next month, which will involve party members and civil society in shaping the PN's vision. The General Council was held on 25 January 2026 and concluded with Borg's address. PN leader Alex Borg calls for 'new dream' as party closes General Council in Gozo PN leader Alex Borg address the General Council in Gozo on Sunday (Photo: Nationalist Party)