CANDIDATES 2026

Lawyer Janice Abela Chetcuti is a deeply empathetic person who has always felt a strong calling to be the voice of those who have none. This is what truly motivated her to enter politics. She is the mother of two children, Sky, 17, and Reef, 12, both of whom share her love for sports. Staying active and maintaining a healthy diet are part of her everyday life. Janice is also very passionate about animal welfare. Even before entering politics, she was an active advocate, consistently working to ensure animals are treated with the respect they deserve. While she was a primary school teacher in Ħal Luqa, she organized the first “Pet Week” over 20 years ago, at a time when animals in Malta were treated very differently than they are today. She later served as a Manager within the Animal Welfare Directorate during its first two years of establishment. Around 18 years ago, she also contributed to the opening of the animal hospital in Ta’ Qali, which, unfortunately, has now been closed for over 30 months. It was through these roles that she was inspired to study law, eventually qualifying as a lawyer so she could better apply Maltese law in cases of animal cruelty. Over the past four years, she has served in Parliament, where she has spoken with great passion and dedication, engaging in dialogue and continuously working to introduce amendments in favor of animal welfare, so that animals, and those who care for them, are given the voice and respect they deserve. Despite all these roles, her favorite remains being a mother to her children, whom she loves dearly. Everything she does is with the hope of making them proud.

A 37-year-old man, married and father of two children. Son of Dr Francis Agius, former Member of Parliament and former Parliamentary Secretary, he was raised in Ħaż-Żabbar and inherited a strong sense of service toward the community. He aspires to represent a new generation in Maltese politics, one that combines a fresh perspective with a solid foundation of experience. He studied abroad for eight years, an experience that broadened his horizons and gave him an international outlook. For the past 11 years, he has been working in the southern region of Malta as a veterinarian, where his work has kept him closely connected to the community and its realities. Throughout his career, he has been active in various committees and forums, and had the honor of serving as President of the Veterinary Association for four years, where he worked to represent his profession. He entered politics with a clear conviction, that of working towards strengthening traditional principles, politics truly by the people and for the people. His goal is to help shift the country towards getting everyone to achieve a balance between work and personal well-being, where young people can look to the future with confidence, where students see real opportunities and stability, and where everyone sees a country that supports their aspirations.

Frederick Aquilina is a 27-year-old accountant, full of energy and determination to see genuine change in our country. Over the past seven years, he has served with great commitment as a Minority Leader within the Ħal Luqa Local Council. He was also a candidate in the last general election and continues to serve as Vice President of the MŻPN. With a sense of humility and responsibility, he is once again answering the call of our Party to contest the general election on the Sixth District. He graduated from the University of Malta with a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce, also qualified through ACCA, and holds a degree in Maltese and International Taxation. He practices as an accountant specializing in taxation.

A local entrepreneur and long-time resident of Swieqi, he forms part of the third generation running his family business, which today supports over 100 families. Among its operations is a unique local farm in Swieqi, the first and still the only one growing and selling its own produce. He holds degrees in Management and Rural and Environmental Science, and believes in responsible and sustainable growth. Outside of work, he enjoys mentoring students pursuing business studies, offering practical guidance and encouragement. Deeply connected to the community, he is a regular supporter of local organisations, contributing both his time and resources. His commitment to public service is reflected in his work as a councillor in Swieqi and San Ġwann, and currently in Sliema, while also remaining active within the Swieqi committee. He is married and a proud father to his daughter, and at home is kept busy by their adorable Shih Tzu puppy. He believes in staying close to people and giving back where it matters most.

Graziella Attard Previ was elected to Parliament in March 2022, where she was entrusted with the role of Shadow Minister for Equality, Civil Liberties and Public Broadcasting, and, for a specific period, also for Children’s Rights. During this legislature, she also served as a member of the Parliamentary Committee on the Family. At the local level, she served as Mayor of TasSliema between December 2021 and April 2022, having previously held the position of Deputy Mayor between June 2019 and December 2021. Prior to this, she served as a Local Councillor for Gżira between March 2015 and May 2019. Within the Nationalist Party, she served as President of the Equal Opportunities Forum between June 2014 and November 2020, and later as President of the Women’s Movement of the Nationalist Party between November 2020 and April 2022. In these roles, she worked closely with key stakeholders, nongovernmental organisations and individuals, with the aim of strengthening policies grounded in people’s lived realities and experiences. In her professional life, she has worked as a social worker since 2003. She spent 18 years working with children at St Patrick’s Residential Home in Sliema, and for the past five years has been working with persons with disabilities and their families at Aġenzija Sapport, where she is now in a Leader role. Inspired by the values of Mahatma Gandhi, she firmly believes in social justice and human dignity. For her, politics is a service to people. Her political work is guided by a vision that places people at the centre of decisionmaking, with the goal of building a more just, inclusive society founded on strong solidarity, and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Born in Rabat, Malta, he graduated from the University of Malta in Foreign Policy and the Maltese language. He served as Mayor of Rabat between 2003-2004 and 2013-2019. He is a Maltese language lecturer at the Giovanni Curmi Post-Secondary School in Naxxar, where he also works as a librarian. Azzopardi is the Opposition’s Main Spokesperson for National Heritage and the Arts. He was first elected to Parliament in 2022. He is married to Maria and they have a son, Lincoln. Since childhood, he has been passionately dedicated to collecting coins, stamps, Melitensia items, art, sculpture, antique maps, and political memorabilia, among others.

Ivan Bartolo is a Maltese Member of Parliament representing Partit Nazzjonalista and hails from Mosta. Before entering national politics, he served as Mayor of Mosta, where he worked on various local initiatives and community projects.  Bartolo was first elected to Parliament in the 2017 general election and was re-elected in 2022. In his parliamentary work, he has often focused on social issues, including poverty, the rights of vulnerable individuals, and mental health. Outside of politics, he is also known for his commitment to the community and his support for social initiatives and voluntary work.

Graham Bencini is a certified accountant with a reputation built on integrity, precision, and responsible leadership, with extensive experience in the financial services sector, particularly in taxation, financial management, and corporate structures. He holds three degrees from the University of Malta, including a Master’s degree, as well as an ACCA qualification, all strengthening his professional foundation. Before entering public life, he was very active in Maltese football, also playing with the Malta U21 and the National Team. He was elected to Parliament in 2022 on behalf of the Nationalist Party and serves on the Economic and Financial Affairs Committee and the Public Accounts Committee. He previously served as Shadow Minister for Finance and more recently has been entrusted with the role of Shadow Minister for Social Security and European Funds, a portfolio that represents a natural continuation of his work in finance, where social security systems require sound financial planning and European funds require rigorous scrutiny and strategic allocation. He is married to Julienne, and they have two sons, Sebastian and Zachary. They are fond of animals, particularly their dog Colin.