Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545062
Josef Bugeja 1. What fresh ideas do you bring to Malta's political sys- tem? Although a new candidate, I have a lot of experience which I believe will be very useful in my political life. I know what the realities of our workers and families are because I have lived with them, and I know what it takes to improve their quality of life. I believe in the pol- icy of dialogue and compromise based on values. In my career in trade unionism, I learned the art of compromise. To reach the greatest milestones, and bequeath a legacy of common good, one must be ready to listen, understand the other person's position, and be able to persuade them. Hatred and attacks are out of place, when we can reach more people through dialogue. 2. What are the three most pressing challenges facing the country in the next five years? Malta is part of a much larger world that is changing and devel- oping, so we are constantly affect- ed by everything that is happening around us. War is just one factor. Technology too is radically changing the world of work, and as a country we must invest strongly in the skills of workers so as not to lose jobs and safeguard the liveli- hoods of all. No one should be left behind. There is an opportunity for everyone. The effects of insularity are in- creasingly being felt, especially in the context of international insta- bility. We must work closely with our partners in the EU and interna- tional fora, to address the impact of logistical constraints mainly on our industry, because ultimately, the impact is always borne by fam- ilies. Above all, I feel that we must nec- essarily strengthen enforcement across the country to foster great- er civic sense and respect for each other, if we are to achieve a better standard of living and a more se- rene life. 3. Why did you decide to run for election? The worker, whom I have always been there for. I represent them, listen to them and understand their pains, and it has fostered in me a strong sense of empathy. From a trade-unionist career in which my job was to put pressure on behalf of workers, I now want to move to the next chapter where I legislate for workers, pensioners and parents. 4. What is one issue you are most personally passionate about, and why? Undoubtedly, social justice. I genuinely believe that a country, an economy, that a system must work for everyone without leaving anyone out. Despite our econom- ic success, around us I see people who still feel neglected, or invisi- ble, and I consider it my responsi- bility to give them a voice. Social mobility is the sister of social jus- tice, and I believe that this is the way forward for a better life and to live better together as a nation. 5. Outside of politics, how do you like to spend your free time? I love reading, watching Formula 1 and football, and I love summer and spending time by the sea, but above all, every chance I get to visit my daughter who lives in England. I miss her a lot. Social me- dia has improved communication between us, but we miss our long discussions on various topics. Quickfire Q&A Mark Philip Camilleri Gambin 1. What fresh ideas do you bring to Mal- ta's political system? Coming from a background in software en- gineering and business, my approach is fun- damentally different. I know that complex national problems are rarely solved by a sin- gle person acting alone; they are solved by well-organised, thriving teams. Throughout my career, my focus has been on bringing people together to build effective systems where groups can collaborate to find real solutions. I want to bring this same organisa- tional mindset to our political landscape. Beyond that, my core philosophy is apply- ing logic and reason to debug our national impasses. This requires radical transparency; having no hidden agendas is the only way to build genuine trust. By dismantling the deadlocks that hold us back and working col- lectively, we can ensure that human well-be- ing and the common good always remain at the top of the priority list. 2. What are the three pressing chal- lenges facing the country in the next five years? First, our transport infrastructure is trapped in a cycle of long-term promises that never materialise. We need actionable, logical solu- tions today, not just empty rhetoric. Momen- tum has those solutions. Second, the rampant construction driven by the close connection between politicians and major developers is suffocating our resi- dents. If we cannot breathe, we cannot live. It is a clear failure of planning that completely overlooks the voices of local residents. This must stop, and the only way to stop that is to elect a voice that is not forced into compli- ance by the same financial interests. Finally, we face severe societal polarisation. Bad policy, poor planning, and ugly rhetoric have led us to a place where hard-working residents are told to blame their neighbours rather than the decision-makers. What's preventing us from making pro- gress in any of these areas are bad govern- ance, corruption and a complete absence of meritocracy. 3. Why did you decide to run for elec- tion? I am deeply exasperated by our current po- litical class. However, I do not believe in com- plaining about things without actively trying to solve them. I am a problem solver who happens to be entering politics. My motiva- tion is rooted in intent-driven living; I rolled up my sleeves to contribute because new voices are not just welcome, they are abso- lutely necessary. My main goal is to build a platform that shows future generations a light at the end of the tunnel. For that plat- form to work, we need candidates who are unequivocal about what is right and what is wrong. Stepping into the political arena is a moral quest to inspire hope and prove that real change is achievable. 4. What is the one issue you are most personally passionate about, and why? I am most passionate about good govern- ance and eradicating the lack of authenticity in our elected representatives. It is incredibly frustrating to watch politicians present one face for the cameras and a different one off- screen. I firmly believe in radical transparen- cy, where honesty and a lack of hidden agen- das are the foundation of leadership. Good governance means doing things properly, fairly, and strictly in the country's best inter- est. 5. Outside of politics, how do you like to spend your free time? Most importantly, I spend it with my wife and our little boy, the most fulfilling aspect of my life. Beyond family, I enjoy evening gaming sessions on Discord with my close friends, painting miniatures, and playing wargames. I recently started playing tennis too. When I need quiet time to unwind, you will usually find me watching sci-fi movies, reading a good book, or writing some code. maltatoday | SUNDAY • 24 MAY 2026 MOMENTUM LABOUR PARTY