Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545159
11 maltatoday | MONDAY • 1 JUNE 2026 OPINION Saviour Debono Veteran journalist The winner does not take all ELECTION 2026 It is a proud moment for the MaltaToday polling team, and they are truly the king of surveys SEVERAL reasons were float- ed by commentators on TV panels on Sunday as to why the Labour Party won and the Nationalist Party lost. Some went as far as attrib- uting the slogan and the PL's manifesto as key reasons for Labour's victory. This is, as everyone knows, far from the truth. It was evident that a vote for Robert Abela sig- nalled a vote for continuity and that in the case of Alex Borg, a vote that repudiated Labour in its entirety. Abela managed to secure a fourth term for the PL; a his- toric achievement. To ensure victory he called an election a year in advance, obviously sensing that Alex Borg would galvanise enough support to put up a stronger fight in 12 months' time. Nonetheless, despite only having been at the PN's helm for eight months, Borg gave Abela a good run for his mon- ey. He managed to galvanise Nationalists, gather momen- tum and launch a campaign that raised enthusiasm among traditional and floating voters. But it was not enough. Abela's battle cry that he would guarantee continuity and a solid economy worked wonders, against those who argued in favour of rocking the boat. Every election returns can- didates to parliament, who have no clue about politics, management and policy. They are but doyens of political pa- tronage and dance to the tune of their constituents with no bigger national vision. There are others who are in politics for very wrong reasons, and it will take too long for the political party they crossed over to, to realise what that person stands for. Over the last weeks, I have experienced the partisan and narrow-minded attitude of party aficionados. Labour supporters who refuted any suggestion that their party was coming across as condescend- ing and arrogant, and Nation- alist supporters who suggested that anyone, who votes for Labour is a corrupt cunt. It makes you want to run a mile. But today could be a new dawn for Labour as it en- ters its fourth term in office. Robert Abela has a tall order indeed. To action all propos- als will take determination and focus. The new mandate should serve Abela well to change a few faces in his Cabi- net. He too needs to show that he can change. This is also the moment for Abela to be magnanimous and perhaps consider adopting some of Alex Borg's propos- als, which might foster more accountability in public insti- tutions. It will send a positive vibe if he were to reintroduce the declaration of assets for ministers, something he dis- missed in the last legislature. The other step that Robert Abela should take now is a review of the salaries of minis- ters, parliamentary secretaries and parliamentarians and bring about a reform that introduc- es parliamentary assistants to further support efficient parliamentary work for elected deputies. Malta's parliament needs the best talent possible and to achieve that MPs need to be remunerated better. I have no idea what will happen in five years' time. But given Alex Borg's show of force in the first seven months of his political captaincy, I have no doubt that in five years' time, aged 35, he will be a warhorse. But until then all eyes are on Robert Abela. On a more personal note, there is a source of satisfaction in knowing that the MaltaTo- day surveys have been vindi- cated, coming the closest to the actual election result. It is a proud moment for the Malta- Today polling team, and they are truly the king of surveys. Robert Abela can make some courageous reforms, he has nothing to lose