There is nothing wrong with an Opposition being constructive. In fact, Malta could probably do with rather less political theatre and rather more serious parliamentary work.
But there is a distinction between constructive opposition and an opposition that waits for government to show its hand.
That distinction is becoming relevant to Alex Borg’s PN.
Last week, the PN offered government a “hand of cooperation” on traffic, proposing a joint parliamentary committee to examine solutions. The proposal is perfectly reasonable: traffic is a national problem, and cooperation need not mean surrendering political differences.
The PN has also spent recent weeks consulting teachers, social organisations and other stakeholders ahead of the Budget. Borg has emphasised listening, dialogue and developing policy with those affected by it.
Again, nothing wrong with that.
But then comes the Budget.
Borg has confirmed that the PN will not publish a pre-Budget document, choosing instead to set out its position after the government’s Budget is presented.
That is where the question becomes more difficult.
An Opposition aspiring to government should eventually be able to answer a fairly basic question: what would you do differently?
Not necessarily with a shadow Budget down to the last euro. But on the big questions — taxation, subsidies, expenditure, debt, infrastructure, education and the economy — voters should be given some idea of the alternative before the government’s proposals arrive.
Otherwise politics becomes rather convenient. Government proposes. Opposition responds. Government gets to define the battlefield.
And there is another danger.
Borg is clearly trying to broaden the PN’s appeal and move it away from the old politics of permanent confrontation. That may well be part of the party’s post-election strategy. There are also areas where he has been anything but accommodating: the Daphne inquiry reforms, media freedom and institutional accountability, among them.
So this is not an argument that Borg should become permanently belligerent.
It is a question about political identity.
A modern Opposition should be capable of cooperation without becoming indistinguishable from the government it seeks to replace. It should listen without becoming dependent on consultation to formulate its own position. And it should be capable of saying not merely what is wrong with the government’s proposal, but what it would do instead.
Because eventually the electorate will not be choosing an Opposition.
It will be choosing a government.
And before that happens, voters deserve to know what the alternative actually is.
SOURCES
- The Malta Independent – PN proposes Select Committee to tackle traffic problem, 1 October 2026.
Direct article - The Malta Independent – Labour hits out at PN over decision not to publish pre-budget document, 2 October 2026.
Direct article - The Malta Independent – PN leader meets MUT ahead of Budget: ‘Education sector needs clear strategy’, 5 October 2026.
Direct article - The Malta Independent – GDP growth is not enough if people remain at risk of poverty, Alex Borg says, 4 October 2026.
Direct article - The Shift News – PN loses more experience as Alex Borg sacks his spokesman, 5 October 2026.
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