62 years after Independence, we too are being called upon to stand up and make our voices heard for a free country

PN Leader Alex Borg opens the 2026 Independence celebrations with a call for Malta to become a country where politics serves the national interest and citizens can speak, work and succeed without fear or political control

Just as our forefathers chose not to remain silent 62 years ago, today we too are being called upon to make our voices heard and stand up so that, together, we can work towards a better country.

Malta needs a new Independence. This time, not from foreign rule, but from a politics that controls our institutions and makes citizens dependent on those in power.

This was the message delivered by Opposition and Partit Nazzjonalista Leader Alex Borg during the discussion that opened the 2026 Independence celebrations at the Floriana Granaries under the theme, “A free country. A country without fear.”

Alex Borg said that the historic achievement of Independence by Ġorġ Borg Olivier 62 years ago made Malta a sovereign country that could begin taking its own decisions. However, he stressed that freedom can never be taken for granted and must continue to be safeguarded and defended.

“What is the point of celebrating Independence if institutions that are meant to be independent end up being controlled by politicians in power?” Alex Borg asked. He said that the details emerging from the trial connected to the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia continued to show how individuals close to power were working in their own interests rather than in the national interest.

He also stressed the importance of an education system that nurtures a generation of critical thinkers. The Leader of the Partit Nazzjonalista said there must be greater investment in educators and in all the resources required to develop citizens capable of thinking freely.

Alex Borg also highlighted the importance of protecting journalists so that they can carry out their work freely and without intimidation. He referred to the anti-SLAPP measures that the Partit Nazzjonalista is insisting should be introduced as soon as possible.

The PN Leader maintained that a truly free country is one in which institutions serve the citizen, politics serves the national interest and freedom is not merely a word commemorated once a year.

The Leader of the Partit Nazzjonalista said the next five years will be crucial for our country. Malta must choose a direction that delivers not only a strong economy, but also a country that feels like a true home for its citizens, a place where they can live comfortably and enjoy the security and peace of mind that come with a brighter future.

The discussion featured contributions from lawyer and former member of the Police Force Edmond Cuschieri; strategy professional and former diplomat Michael Cluett; lecturer and education professional Angele Pulis; lawyer and former journalist David Bonello; and commercial and financial law practitioner, former lecturer and former Chairman of the Malta Stock Exchange Arthur Galea Salomone.

The issues discussed included the impact of Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination and everything that emerged during the trial; the state of the institutions and their failure to function properly in recent years; justice; press freedom; the importance of implementing the recommendations of the Public Inquiry; the need for an education system that fosters critical thinking; Malta’s international reputation; and the impact that the culture of impunity is having on citizens.

In a separate contribution, Floriana Deputy Mayor James Aaron Ellul spoke about Floriana’s demographic challenges, the need for balanced regeneration that places residents at its centre, and the work required to safeguard the identity of the locality and the communities surrounding the Grand Harbour.

Leader of the Partit Nazzjonalista Alex Borg thanked the participants, non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, journalists and representatives from various sectors who, in recent days, accepted the Partit Nazzjonalista’s invitation to participate in discussions about the reforms our country needs.

He said that more people are overcoming their fear, making their voices heard and joining the Partit Nazzjonalista in its work to offer concrete solutions for the country. He appealed to young people, who have always been catalysts for change, to step forward and make their voices heard.

“This is the Malta we want to build together: a free country and a country without fear,” the Leader of the Partit Nazzjonalista concluded.

The discussion was moderated by Thomas De Martino and Charmaine Parnis and was broadcast live on NET TV, NET FM and social media.

The Partit Nazzjonalista will continue its Independence activities tomorrow, Saturday, with an interview by Newsbook Malta Editor Matthew Xuereb with PN Leader Alex Borg, together with further entertainment at the Floriana Granaries from 6.30pm onwards. The celebrations will culminate on Sunday with a mass meeting addressed by the PN Leader.

18.09.2026