Abela framed the campaign around stability and a “Stronger Malta” message, arguing the island needs continuity as the Iran war threatens energy prices, tourism and inflation. His main challenger is Alex Borg, leader of the center-right Nationalist Party, which has long shared Malta’s two-party political system with Labour. Labour remains ahead in opinion polls, though voters have voiced concerns over overcrowding, construction, wages and corruption. The Council of Europe’s anti-corruption body said in 2025 that Malta had made limited progress on key integrity reforms. Polls close at 10 p.m., with preliminary results expected Sunday afternoon.