Alex Agius Saliba And Ian Borg Will Run For PL Deputy Leader Roles
Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba and Foreign Minister Ian Borg have officially confirmed that they will be contesting the positions of PL Deputy Leaders for Party Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, respectively.
Borg announced his intention in a statement today, saying he wants to work for a better Malta.
“I am choosing to extend my contribution to the consolidation of Labour and the Labour Government because I wholeheartedly believe that Labour and the values it enshrines are the best political choice for our country, and that we must all work tirelessly, as one team, for the common good of the people of Malta, as this Party has been doing since its inception, for more than a century,” Borg said.
“During the last few weeks, I talked to fellow Labour MPs and delegates, including those who approached me to support my nomination. I also considered Prime Minister Robert Abela’s call for unity, and consulted Chris Fearne, who committed himself to the role of Deputy Prime Minister with impressive courage and determination for the last eight years. More importantly, I also met with many persons who wish that we continue to sustainably consolidate the prosperity that our country achieved since 2013.”
“Malta and Gozo are blessed with diligent and determined people, who try harder when faced with challenges, always working to make tomorrow a brighter day. Since I ventured into politics at the age of 16, I have always firmly believed in this great strength of our communities. It reaffirms the need to make sure that as politicians, we must continue inspiring and empowering our families and businesses to achieve their potential, as we support our children to become stronger, principled and more sustainable Maltese generations.”
“My experience as part of the Cabinet for the last 11 years has continued to demonstrate the results we can attain by working diligently, together, and in good faith. We implemented some of the largest infrastructure projects that Malta has ever seen.”
“During the last two years, we witnessed historic achievements for multilateralism in our country. I was honoured to preside over the United Nations’ Security Council on behalf of Malta, reaching crucial agreements, including decisions on the Middle East and Ukraine. Concurrently, we were the only country among 57 participating states of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to obtain the unanimous approval of all these countries, so that I am now serving as the 2024 Chairperson of this international platform, during one of the most delicate times in its history.”
“When I meet with leaders of other countries, they wonder how a small island state like ours can punch above its weight with such significant results on an international level. This unparalleled potential of our people has convinced me to step forward and offer to dedicate more of my time and energy to our country and to Labour, by nominating myself to serve as Deputy Leader. ”
“As other countries and international organisations continue to warn of the risks of major regional conflicts, even in Europe, and as we continue to face the consequences of the climate emergency, Malta steadfastly persisted in our position against all forms of aggression and imposition. We embrace a vision of consensus through dialogue, of ensuring security through a rules-based order, of a sustainable prosperity through innovation and collaboration. Above all, we affirm our politics of peace through tolerance, unity and respect.”
“These are the values that we must continue to uphold in the administration of our country as well, in our efforts towards a better quality of life for our communities, and for a more sustainable country. They are also my guiding principles in any role that the Party delegates and the people of Malta and Gozo may want me to serve.”
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Agius Saliba also announced his intention to contest.
“Serving has always been the greatest privilege of my life. Since I was 15 years old, I climbed step after step within the PL structures.”
“I loved the activists, the delegates and the party members, and worked with them without any personal interest or pretension to ensure the PL remains Malta’s largest political force.”
“I stand before you today to give more love, work, and dedication to ensure that this party, which we all love so much, continues to strengthen so that in three years’ time, it will once again be an organised Party full of enthusiasm and volunteers so that together we can continue to accomplish good for our country.”
“It would have been easier for me to ignore the call of Prime Minister Robert Abela and the hundreds of delegates and activists urging me to take this step, but I have never turned my back on the party in its moment of need.
Both Borg and Agius Saliba are extremely popular PL politicians and both have been touted as potential future leaders.
Borg was elected PL Dingli mayor in 2005 when he was only 19 years old and has since served in a number of Cabinet positions under both Joseph Muscat and Robert Abela.
Agius Saliba is a former president of the PL’s youth wing who has served as a PL MEP since 2019. He was re-elected to the European Parliament with 63,899 first-count votes last June, a record for a PL candidate.