CANDIDATES 2026

Bernard Grech was born in Ħ’Attard and today lives in Mosta. He is a lawyer with extensive experience in various fields. He served for five years as Leader of the Nationalist Party, Leader of the Opposition, and Member of Parliament. He did so with commitment and a strong sense of responsibility and loyalty. He is married to AnneMarie and is proud to be the father of Neil and Maria. Bernard is known for his values, honesty, continuous hard work, and dedication to the Maltese and Gozitan people.

Joseph Grech has been practicing as a lawyer for the past 10 years, gaining experience in civil and commercial litigation. His roots lie in student politics, particularly within the student organization SDM, where he was very active and held various roles, including that of President. This experience shaped his passion for politics and his commitment to putting himself at the service of others. Later, Joseph continued serving in national politics as Secretary General and subsequently President of the MŻPN. In 2021, he was elected Chairperson of the Nationalist Party’s Executive Committe, a role that reflects the trust he enjoys within the Party. In his personal life, Joseph is married and has a son. He enjoys sports and has an interest in subjects related to politics, history, and current affairs, both locally and internationally.

Born in Valletta on 22 February 1959, Dr Paul Mazzola is a family doctor in Żebbuġ, where he also serves as a local councillor representing the Nationalist Party. In 1976, Paul moved to Italy where he studied at the Benedictine College in Salerno. In 1988, he graduated from the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at the Federico II University of Naples, and in 1989 worked as a doctor in Libya at an oil terminal in Ras Lanuf with Veba Oil Corporation. He continued his experience in medicine and surgery in Italy for more than 36 years. He also worked in the United Kingdom as a doctor in cardiothoracic and neurosurgery between 2009 and 2013.

Angelo Micallef was born on 11 March 1986 and graduated as a lawyer from the University of Malta in 2011. He also obtained a Masters degree in Financial Services. He has been active in Nationalist Party media for a number of years, including a period working in the newsroom, while also presenting several political programs on radio and producing regular articles in the newspaper In-Nazzjon. He serves as Mayor of Balzan and as President of the Nationalist Party’s Professionals Forum. He is married to Charlene.

Anton Mifsud is from Mtarfa and lives in the locality. Born in 1962, he served as Mayor of Mtarfa between 2007 and 2013 and as President of the Northern Region between 2011 and 2022. With a degree in Catering from the University of Oxford, Anton is also deeply committed to community service and is the founder of several entities and NGOs in Mtarfa, including Mtarfa FC, Mtarfa Drama, and the Mtarfa Scouts. His aim in politics is to serve communities and assist people as much as possible in achieving a better quality of life.

Paula Mifsud Bonnici was born and raised in Ħamrun. She received her education at St Joseph School in Blata l-Bajda and later continued her studies at the University of Malta, where she graduated as a lawyer. Throughout her political career, she has been very active within the Nationalist Party, holding several important roles, including President of the Administrative Council and President of the General Council. At the local level, she served for several years as Deputy Mayor and Minority Leader in the Ħamrun Local Council, where she made a significant contribution to community work. She was first elected to the Parliament of Malta in 2013 and was re-elected in 2022. Today, she serves as Assistant Whip of the Nationalist Party Parliamentary Group and as Shadow Minister for Active Ageing.

George Muscat BA(Gen) (Melit), PGCE (Melit), MA (Melit), known as “Ta’ Pawlu n-Naw tal-Coaches”, is from Naxxar but lives in Qormi. He is a teacher of Maltese and Arabic in a secondary school, as well as a presenter on NET FM, where he hosts the political program ISSUES every Saturday. He is particularly passionate about education and social justice. From a young age, politics was a priority in George’s family. The values, principles, and democracy instilled in him at home were later strengthened through his “second family,” the Nationalist Party.

Dr Jonathan Muscat is a lawyer, married, and has a son. He was born in Australia to Maltese parents, grew up in Għargħur, and now resides in Kappara, San Ġwann. He practices in the Civil and Commercial Courts of Malta and has experience in various leadership roles, including in the iGaming sector and anti-money laundering compliance, maritime affairs, European funds, journalism and marketing, as well as commerce and tourism. He studied at St Aloysius College and graduated in International Relations and Law from the University of Malta. Dr Muscat believes that Maltese citizens deserve a better quality of life and greater security, both in their country and in their homes. He is determined that, through wise leadership, Malta can strengthen a sustainable economy that truly works for people, families, and businesses. He emphasizes the need for serious and responsible leadership to address today’s challenges, including the effects of population growth, traffic, and excessive, poorly planned development. He also believes that decisive action is needed to reduce the cost of living and to ensure that Maltese youth have access to affordable housing and a stable future in their country.