Nationalist Party leader Alex Borg told supporters that Malta’s future will be shaped by its citizens, as he addressed a party activity in Paola alongside fourth district candidates.
“You are the protagonists of our country’s future. You are the people who will determine the future of our country,” Borg said during a political activity on Thursday.
The activity brought together candidates PN candidates Bernice Bonello, Duncan Borg Myatt, Stefan Caruana, Michael Piccinino and Mark Anthony Sammut, who also addressed those present on local concerns and wider national issues.
In his speech, Borg focused heavily on population growth, migration policy and infrastructure pressures, arguing that these issues have become central to everyday life in Malta.
He said the subject affects families, workers, students and elderly people directly, particularly through transport congestion, pressure on public services, rising property development and concerns about national identity.
He said Malta is experiencing two realities at the same time: the need for foreign workers to sustain economic growth, and the need to ensure that quality of life for residents does not continue to decline.
Borg referred to population figures, noting that Malta’s population stood at around 420,000 in 2013, with approximately 20,000 foreign residents at the time.
He said this has now increased to over 570,000 people, including an estimated 170,000 foreign nationals living in the country.
He also referenced remarks made by Finance Minister Clyde Caruana, who warned that Malta’s population could reach around 800,000 in the coming years if current economic trends continue unchanged.
According to Borg, this demographic shift is already being felt in daily life, with increased traffic congestion, longer waiting times for services, and growing pressure on infrastructure such as roads, schools and hospitals.
He said these developments require long-term planning rather than short-term responses.
The PN leader stressed that economic growth alone is not enough if it is not accompanied by adequate investment in infrastructure and planning.
He said that development must be managed in a way that ensures sustainability and maintains quality of life.
During the activity, Borg outlined a series of proposals previously announced by the Nationalist Party on migration and population management.
One of the key proposals included a reform of the work permit and residency system, aimed at reducing bureaucracy and making procedures more efficient for both employers and foreign workers.
Borg said the current system often creates delays and inefficiencies that affect businesses and individuals alike.
The PN is also proposing the creation of two separate “one-stop-shops,” Borg said.
One would serve Maltese and European citizens, offering services such as identity documents, passports, certificates and other administrative needs in a single location.
The second would be dedicated to employers and third-country nationals, with the aim of simplifying processes related to employment and residency applications.
Borg said that these reforms are intended to create a more efficient system while reducing unnecessary administrative burdens.
Another major proposal involves the establishment of a National Authority responsible for population planning and labour market analysis. According to Borg, this body would be tasked with assessing Malta’s long-term capacity in terms of infrastructure and services.
He explained that the authority would oversee three main areas: a Labour Market Study to identify workforce needs, a Population Levels Plan to determine sustainable demographic growth, and a National Capacity Plan to assess whether Malta has sufficient infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and roads to support further population increases.
Borg said these measures are intended to ensure that planning keeps pace with demographic and economic realities.
The Nationalist Party leader also spoke about identity and language, stressing the importance of preserving the Maltese language amid demographic change.
He said that foreign workers in client-facing roles should be required to complete a basic Maltese language course within their first year of employment.
Borg said this measure is intended to support integration while safeguarding national identity.
“If we do not safeguard our language, then who will?” Borg said.
Borg said a future PN government would establish a joint task force between the Armed Forces of Malta and the Police Force to strengthen efforts against drug trafficking, human trafficking and irregular immigration.
He said this would improve coordination between institutions responsible for national security.
Borg also said that a Nationalist government would invest further in Malta’s disciplined forces, particularly in Gozo, as part of a broader effort to strengthen enforcement capacity.
In addition, Borg referred to proposed reforms to the Immigration Appeals Board, saying it should become more independent, transparent and credible. He suggested that the board should be chaired by a magistrate to reinforce its institutional strength.
Closing the event, Borg reiterated his appeal to voters, urging them to take an active role in shaping the country’s future.
He said Malta could “breathe again” through better planning and more structured policies.
Borg encouraged supporters to convince undecided voters that the Nationalist Party’s proposals offer a viable direction for the country’s future.
