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8 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 13 MAY 2026 OPINION A future to believe in: Why Malta should choose Labour again Aaron Farrugia Former Labour minister and MP IN 2013, a movement rooted in renewal, optimism and a clear promise captured the imagina- tion of a nation. It presented a future to believe in. Today, that same spirit, modern, for- ward-looking and grounded in real results, continues to shape Malta's direction. On 30 May, the choice is not simply about continuity. It is about momentum, leadership and the confidence to keep moving forward. Thirteen years in government would exhaust most political movements. Labour, howev- er, continues to renew itself. It brings together experienced parliamentarians with new can- didates from different walks of life, combining energy, balance and practical experience. This is not a party standing still. It is a party that keeps evolving. Spirit of change and leadership The hunger for change that defined Labour before 2013 has not disappeared. If anything, it has intensified. There is still a strong culture of ideas, pro- posals, innovation and adapta- tion to modern realities. This has been evident from the first press conference of the cam- paign when the first line up of proposals were rolled out by the prime minister flanked by his deputies. The ambition is clear. The resolve and drive to improve Malta remain strong and steadfast. A government is only as strong as the people leading it. Labour's team, across key sec- tors such as finance, foreign af- fairs, the economy, energy and social policy, just to mention a few, has shown both com- petence and consistency. Ex- perience matters. Malta today is led by individuals who have delivered. The economy The economy remains the clearest test of any govern- ment. Across different seg- ments of society, from young couples to the middle class to pensioners, there is a gener- al sense of stronger financial stability compared to the pre- 2013 period. The pressure on the middle class has been ad- dressed and opportunities have expanded. Furthermore, Malta has consistently ranked among the fastest-growing economies in the Eurozone, and projec- tions indicate continued strong performance. This is the result of clear policy direction and sustained execution. Leadership is defined during difficult moments. The cur- rent prime minister assumed office in a demanding context and has faced major challenges since then, from the pandem- ic to geopolitical instability. From his first day in office, he demonstrated decisiveness and a clear focus on the national in- terest. I experienced this first hand. When he decided to bench me in 2024 from my role as transport and infrastructure minister, he did so because he believed the portfolio needed a new pair of hands; a restart and change from top to bottom. It was not an easy decision, par- ticularly because we had been personal friends for many years. But it showed that, for him, the country comes first. That is the kind of leadership I believe in. Leadership also means taking difficult deci- sions when needed, even when they are not easy. A forward-looking manifesto Labour has learned from its past. Where ambition was once lacking, there is now a struc- tured and long-term vision. The upcoming manifesto re- flects preparation and direc- tion. It addresses all areas of national life, but more impor- tantly, it focuses on the are- as where the country faces its greatest challenges: Healthcare and health services, legal im- migration, and transportation. It is aligned with a broader national strategy, Malta's Vi- sion 2050, and aims to build on what has already been achieved while correcting what needs to be improved. Rather than fatigue, Labour shows momentum. There is organisation, clarity and read- iness to continue governing. At a local level, the party remains connected to communities, maintaining a strong presence across the country. Elections are not won on ideas alone, but on organisation. Labour's structure on the ground and its communication across plat- forms reflect discipline and consistency. The message is reaching people and engage- ment remains as strong as ever. The choice on 30 May I have been involved in poli- tics since the age of 16. At 46, I have seen many campaigns. Rarely has there been such a difference between parties in terms of visibility, preparation, leadership and direction. What stands out today is not compla- cency, but a sense of respon- sibility. Nothing is taken for granted. Every vote matters. After a decade in parliament, much of it serving in Cabinet across three different portfolios un- der two prime ministers, I have taken the decision not to con- test this election. Instead, I will be focusing on further develop- ing the entrepreneurial journey I embarked upon 30 months ago. That said, for me, politics is not a goodbye. It is simply a see you later. Labour has delivered on mul- tiple fronts. At the same time, it recognises that more can be done and that improvement must always remain a constant objective. Supporting Labour is not only about what has been achieved, but about what comes next. That's why many will vote for the Labour Party again. It is a vote for what has been achieved and a vote for the future. A fu- ture built on experience, ener- gy and ambition. A future to believe in. That's why many will vote for the Labour Party again. It is a vote for what has been achieved and a vote for the future. A future built on experience, energ y and ambition. A future to believe in Prime Minister Robert Abela addressing supporters in Kottonera on Sunday (Photo: Daniel Tihn/MaltaToday)