Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544987
SANDRA Gauci believes that when young people are asked about their expectations from Malta's political class, they re- spond by mentioning policies and beliefs championed by her party. The ADPD chairperson is the only female party leader at the moment and only the third wom- an in Malta's political history to be in that position. Gauci is unfazed by the weight of history. "I am a girl's girl," she tells me. And if elected, she pledges to "truly fight" for women's rights and take wom- en's issues to parliament. On the issue of female rep- resentation, Gauci slams the gen- der quota mechanism as simply a "top-up" for the big parties to pump the number of members in parliament. Gauci describes herself as realis- tic when speaking about ADPD's target for the general election, saying that if the party manages to obtain a seat in parliament, it would make history. The ADPD leader says her party stands out from the major parties in terms of proposals. She notes that while the Labour Party and Nationalist Party are focused on competing with each other on who can promise more things, ADPD remains committed to its princi- pals—bringing about the change that Malta really needs. Sandra Gauci: 'Young people speak our language' Sandra Gauci is currently Malta's only female party leader and this will be her first general election at the helm of ADPD. She sits down with Matthew Farrugia to discuss ADPD's targets for the election, the party's style of politics, and the need to reach out to disgruntled young voters 8 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 17 MAY 2026 INTERVIEW