Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544987
CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 After the imputation the lead increased to 6.3 points. Compared to March, when the last MaltaToday survey was held, the gap between the two parties has widened from 2.6 points to 6.3 points. M e a n w h i l e , the trust gap between the leaders wid- ened from 6.4 points to sev- en points. Based on a turnout of around 77.3%, which is four points lower than in March, the gap would translate into a vote difference of around 17,400, up from 7,500 in March. Contrary to previous surveys held before the election cam- paign, the PN is now losing more of its 2022 election votes to abstention (15%) than the PL, which loses 11.3%. This suggests that Labour is be- ing more effective in galvanising its voting base than the PN. But the survey confirms a small but consistent shift from the PL to the PN which also recovers more votes from voters who ab- stained in 2022. The survey confirms that cur- rent non-voters are substantially more likely to trust Robert Abela than Alex Borg to lead the coun- try. On several indicative issues put to respondents, the survey also shows that the PL is more trust- ed than the PN with running the economy, on leaving more money in people's pockets and with controlling inflation. But the parties are neck and neck when it comes to managing population growth and traffic. The survey coincided with the first two and a half weeks of the electoral campaign. The first week was characterised by Labour's blitz of propaganda and proposals which may have shellshocked pale blue voters. The second week of the cam- paign saw the PN taking the in- itiative by presenting a number of targeted proposals aimed at leaving more money in people's pockets, while targeting new eco- nomic niches. 6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 17 MAY 2026 NEWS ELECTION 2026 Abela enjoys 7-point trust lead over Borg PN leader Alex Borg (left) and Prime Minister Robert Abela (right) on the campaign trail