Prime Minister Robert Abela has announced a snap election for 30th May.

In a message to the nation, the Prime Minister said he wanted to ensure stability and certainty for the people of Malta in light of global challenges related to energy supply.

He recounted how European leaders recently convened in Cyprus to discuss the situation in the Middle East and the threat that the “global energy tap” could be turned off.

“While our neighbours are considering energy lockdowns and raising prices, our plan is completely different and our main focus is to keep on shielding families and businesses. Our finances can cope with this and we have also reached our financial targets ahead of schedule. I can therefore offer a guarantee of stability, and promise that electricity and fuel prices will remain stable.”

He said that, since the government had entered the final year of the legislature, it was only natural that there would be constant talk on the election date.

“I always worked for stability and certainty, and that is what the people need. The people deserve a government with a fresh mandate that is solely focused on national challenges in light of the current international context, and the coming months will be crucial,” he said.

“It is responsible of me to anticipate what the country will need, as I have done these past six years – and that is to put Malta first and foremost.”

The PL's election slogan is set to be 'Int Malta' (You are Malta), while the PN has gone for 'Nifs Ġdid' (A Breath of Fresh Air).