Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545068
7 NEWS 7 NEWS 7 maltatoday | TUESDAY • 26 MAY 2026 NEWS ELECTION 2026 CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 After responding to the first question, the two leaders used the majority of their response time in the next questions to speak about their opponent's response. Asked about the worrying in- ternational situation in which this election is being held, Abela said that his government would apply the same formula that kept Malta floating through a number of crises since 2020. Borg was then asked about his party's constant criticism about Malta's rising debt, despite promising a number of costly measures in its manifesto. The Opposition Leader said that his government would not increase Malta's expenditure on mil- lions toward foreign companies such as Vitals and ARUB, while making sure that direct orders in public procurement are not the order of the day. Abela was asked why his par- ty's super bonus excluded for- eign workers, to which he re- sponded that other benefits are given to such workers after they contribute a set number of NI contributions, saying that for- eigners with five years of con- tributions will be eligible. He was also pressed on why the PL's proposal for six months of paid parental leave is transferable between parents, as the moderator noted that in such circumstances, mothers will be expected to use up the majority of the leave. Abela in- sisted that this was done to give parents a choice of how to split the hours. Meanwhile, Borg was ques- tioned on how he plans to supply the manpower needed for the PN's new hospital net- work when the health sector is already facing massive labour shortages. He insisted that the PN's plan to temporarily waive fees for TCN applications, bring back Maltese health spe- cialists who left the country, and increase stipends for health student workers is enough to ensure the hospitals' network has the necessary workers. Borg could not convincingly respond when asked why the PN's promise to lower families' energy bills by 30% would not apply to businesses. Similarly, Abela stuck to his usual script when asked about the failure to address Malta's traffic problem, insisting that he doesn't believe in "punish- ment politics" and that incen- tives are the way to change commuters' culture. Debate dominated by moderator's attempts to get Abela and Borg to answer her questions Photo: The Malta Chamber Robert Abela (Photo: The Malta Chamber) Alex Borg (Photo: The Malta Chamber)