Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545068
toral results shows major in- roads by Labour in the 2013 general election, where the two major parties came neck and neck. But the PL subsequently saw a small dip, with the PN reclaim- ing an absolute majority in the district. A drop in turnout in 2022 from 93% to 86% saw the PN losing 1,077 votes and the PL losing 1,023 votes. In the 2026 election, the PL will be fielding seven candi- dates, which include Finance Minister Clyde Caruana and junior minister Keith Azzo- pardi Tanti. The PN will be fielding six candidates, which include former party leader Adrian Delia and veteran MP Beppe Fenech Adami. DISTRICT 9: PN HOLD ON MIDDLE CLASS TESTED The district includes a num- ber of medium sized towns which form part of the North Harbour urban conurbation but also includes smaller and younger affluent suburbs in Swieqi and Għargħur. The age composition ranges from 38 in Għargħur, which is one of Malta's youngest locali- ties, to 51 in Ta' Xbiex, which is one of Malta's oldest localities. Swieqi includes the second highest number of people earn- ing more than €100,000 a year, according to information ta- bled in parliament in 2021. Għargħur, where 20% of the residents are aged 14 or under, is also the town with the high- est proportion of children in Malta. This indicates an influx of middle-class families with children in the locality. Over the past decade, the dis- trict has experienced consid- erable demographic changes, driven primarily by an econom- ic and property boom. Locali- ties like Pietà and Msida have witnessed an influx of massive non-Maltese migration. The latter is one of six localities where foreigners outnumber Maltese. Overdevelopment is a ma- jor issue in the district in both PN-leaning localities like Għargħur, which are facing urban sprawl in the surround- ing rural environment, and in PL-leaning Pietà, where the local council is insisting on an extension of the Urban Con- servation Area. With population growth be- coming a major political issue, this district provides a major test for the acceptance of an economic model that hinges on economic growth driven by la- bour expansion. Significantly, in the 2024 lo- cal elections the PN was able to claw back a tight majority in both Msida and San Gwann, probably thanks to higher La- bour abstention. The major change to the district is that a large part of Pietà has been carved out of the 1 District and moved into the 9 District. This effective- ly extended the 9 District's southern border further into the inner-harbour area. Mi- cro-borders along the Msida and Birkirkara valley lines were formally re-aligned to integrate the entire voter base of Msida more cleanly into this district. An analysis of past election trends shows the PN declin- ing from 61% in 2008 to 56% in 2017 and 2022. Turnout has also consistently declined from 95% in 2003 to 91% in 2017, with a final dip to 84% in 2022. The drop in turnout in the 2022 election saw the PN los- ing 1,136 votes from its 2017 tally while Labour also lost 1,086 votes. This suggests a process of political disengagement. It re- mains to be seen whether the PN will be able to claw back the voters it lost to abstention in 2022. But the inclusion of Pietà and the changing demographics in Msida, due to new arrivals in social housing units, could shore up the PL's support in the district. The PL will be fielding 11 candidates, including ministers Michael Falzon, Clifton Grima and junior minister Rebecca Buttigieg. The PN is fielding 14 candidates, including six sit- ting MPs and its deputy leader Alex Perici Calascione. Momentum leader Arnold Cassola will also be contesting this district in what could be a major test for the PN's hold on pale blue voters targeted by this new centrist outfit. 5 maltatoday | TUESDAY • 26 MAY 2026 NEWS ELECTION 2026 ELECTION 2026 Year PL PN Others Turnout 2003 37.5% 61.6% 0.9% 96% 2008 41.4% 56.5% 2.1% 94% 2013 47.9% 49.6% 2.5% 93% 2017 45.4% 52.9% 1.6% 92.7% 2022 44.4% 52.2% 3.4% 86% District 8: General election results Source: Electoral Commission Locality Average Age Għargħur 37.6 Msida 46.4 Pietà 48.4 San Ġwann 45.1 Swieqi 42 Ta' Xbiex 50.7 District 9: Towns and age Note: Average age is that of Maltese residents only. Source: NSO Year PL PN Others Turnout 2003 41.8% 57.3% 0.6% 95.4% 2008 36.2% 61.1% 2.7% 92.8% 2013 42.8% 54% 3.1% 92.1% 2017 42% 56.3% 1.7% 91.3% 2022 40.7% 55.9% 3.4% 83.7% District 9: General election results Source: Electoral Commission reshaping Malta's districts internal and external migration are reshaping the country's electoral districts. Part 3: Districts 7, 8 and 9 It remains to be seen whether the PN will be able to claw back the voters it lost to abstention in 2022. But the inclusion of Pietà and the changing demographics in Msida, due to new arrivals in social housing units, could shore up the PL's support in the district