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Franco Debono Hints At An Election Held On June 6th

Franco Debono Hints At An Election Held On June 6th
Local

Taking to social media, former Nationalist Party (PN) MP and lawyer Franco Debono sparked fresh speculation about the timing of Malta’s next general election by suggesting that Prime Minister Robert Abela might announce an election date during the Labour Party’s annual 1 May Day rally, a public holiday internationally recognised as International Workers’ Day and closely associated with labour movements.

In his post, Debono quipped in Maltese: “Asking for a friend, Is-sitta ta’ Ġunju se jinzerta s-Sibt? Kemm hemm ġranet bejn l-ewwel ta’ Mejju u s-sitta ta’ Ġunju?” referencing the period between 1 May and 6 June.

Debono’s message comes amid ongoing political chatter about when Malta might go to the polls.

While Malta must hold its next general election by 2027, the last election was held on 26 March 2022, when Robert Abela’s Labour Party secured its third consecutive term with approximately 55.11 % of the vote, marking the largest share since 1955 and returning to government with a significant majority.

Historically, Labour leader Joseph Muscat called a snap election during the 1 May 2017 rally, announcing that the vote would take place on 3 June 2017, with his party again achieving around 55 % of the vote and a commanding majority over the Nationalist Party.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Abela publicly ruled out an early election, telling Malta Today that he saw no benefit in calling a general election before the term’s natural end, barring significant geopolitical disruption.

Rumours gained momentum after Abela’s participation in an emergency European summit this week, convened to discuss rising global pressures, including international tensions and protests abroad.

Despite Debono’s remarks, Abela reiterated at a recent political rally marking his sixth anniversary in office that election timing would be determined later, dismissing speculation and stating that “a lot more has to be done” before considering a call to the polls.

Debono, who left Parliament in 2013 and later was considered a potential contender for PN leadership, recently posted a photo online with Borg, fuelling talk about increased PN collaboration and Debono’s possible political re-engagement.

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