A BLESSING IN DISGUISE: METSOLA’S ABSENCE FROM THE PN
by Joanne Y. Grech
The leadership contest between Alex Borg and Adrian Delia offers a clear choice for conservatives. Both men embody the values that Nationalists hold dear: tradition, sovereignty, and Malta first. Many party members hoped Roberta Metsola would enter the race. Her decision to stay out is a blessing in disguise. For a liberal like Metsola, Europe comes before Malta. Her absence ensures the PN remains true to its conservative roots.
Metsola’s credentials are undeniable. As President of the European Parliament, she wields significant influence. Her polished image and international profile appeal to her Nationalist supporters. Yet, her priorities raise concerns. Metsola has chosen to remain in Brussels, pursuing her career in the EU administration. This choice speaks volumes. It suggests that her ambitions lie with Europe, not Malta. The PN needs a leader who puts Malta’s interests first, not one distracted by the allure of EU power.
Borg and Delia, in contrast, are grounded in Malta. They understand the struggles of ordinary Maltese citizens. Their conservative values align with the PN’s traditional base. Borg’s focus on local issues and Delia’s vocal defence of Maltese hospitals resonate deeply. Metsola’s liberal leanings, however, clash with the party’s core. Her support for progressive EU policies often diverges from the PN’s conservative principles. A leader like her risks diluting the party’s identity.
Metsola’s liberalism is evident in her EU role. She champions policies that prioritise abortion and European integration over national sovereignty. For many Nationalists, these are screaming red lines. Malta’s unique culture, traditions, and its people, must be protected. Borg and Delia understand this. They advocate for a Malta that stands tall, not one subsumed by Brussels’ agenda. Metsola’s track record suggests she would soften this stance. Her leadership would alienate conservative voters.
Financially, Metsola’s decision is telling. Her lucrative EU position offers security and prestige. Choosing Brussels over Malta shows where her heart lies. The PN deserves a leader fully committed to the nation. Borg and Delia have shown this commitment. They live and breathe Malta’s challenges daily. Their campaigns focus on local solutions, not European ideals. Metsola’s absence spares the PN a leader torn between two worlds.
Nationalist voters want clarity. They want a leader who fights for Malta’s sovereignty, not one swayed by liberal EU rhetoric. Metsola’s global outlook, while impressive, does not fit this mould. Her liberal values would fracture unity. Borg and Delia, despite their differences, share a conservative vision. They offer stability and focus. The PN needs a leader who unites its base, not one who risks splitting it.
Metsola’s decision to stay out of the race is a relief. It ensures the PN remains a conservative force. Borg and Delia represent the party’s heart and soul. They prioritise Malta over Europe. The leadership contest is stronger for it. Nationalists can now choose a leader who truly puts Malta first. Metsola’s absence is not a loss; it’s a chance for the PN to reaffirm its identity.
Undoubtedly, the leadership contest between Alex Borg and Adrian Delia is a crucial moment for the Nationalist Party; it is important not to overlook the party’s proud heritage. This heritage includes advocating for Malta’s EU membership.
It was the Nationalist Party, under the visionary leadership of Eddie Fenech Adami, that first proposed EU membership in 1979 and officially submitted an application in 1990. Despite political headwinds, the PN persisted, reactivating the application in 1998 and guiding Malta to a successful referendum and accession in 2004. This was not a departure from the party’s values; it was a confident affirmation of them. The PN saw the European Union not as a threat to sovereignty but as a platform to amplify Malta’s voice, protect its interests, and secure prosperity for future generations.
Suggesting that a commitment to Europe is somehow incompatible with prioritising Malta misses the very foundation of the PN’s modern identity. The party’s support for EU membership was never about abandoning national values; it was about protecting them through cooperation, influence, and opportunity. The EU was not a distraction; it was a strategic decision rooted in the PN’s Christian democratic principles and belief in Malta’s rightful place in Europe.
Roberta Metsola’s success in Brussels is not a betrayal of Nationalist ideals; it is their realisation on the international stage. Her leadership in the European Parliament reflects the PN’s long-standing belief that Malta can lead, not just follow. Her decision to stay out of the leadership race may shape the party’s direction, but it should not be used to rewrite its history.
As the PN looks to the future, it must remember that its strength has always stemmed from striking a balance between tradition and vision. Whether led by Borg, Delia, or others, the party should continue to honour its European legacy rather than retreat from it.
It’s the EU who is not honouring the European legacy. The EU was supposed to be a union of equals. Instead it’s increasingly a fascist system that imposes its will on Hungary, and other countries, and finances liberal media at the expense of the rest. In other words, the EU has been hijacked by liberal fascists. This is why the UK walked away. If a country wants to be its own master, it is shackled by the new EU which is different than the EU of the Fenech Adami times.