Alex Borg (politician)

Alex Borg
Leader of the Opposition
Assumed office
10 September 2025
PresidentMyriam Spiteri Debono
Prime MinisterRobert Abela
Preceded byBernard Grech
Leader of the Nationalist Party
Assumed office
7 September 2025
DeputyAlex Perici Calascione
Preceded byBernard Grech
Member of Parliament
Assumed office
7 May 2022
ConstituencyThirteenth District
Personal details
BornAlexander Borg
(1995-07-10) 10 July 1995
PartyNationalist Party
Domestic partnerSarah Bajada
Alma materUniversity of Malta

Alexander Borg MP (born 10 July 1995) is a Maltese lawyer, politician and model who has served as leader of the Nationalist Party since September 2025.[1] Borg was elected as a Member of Parliament in 2022. In April 2022, he was appointed shadow minister for Gozo.[2]

Early life

Borg was born in Victoria, Gozo. He is the son of Mary Debono Borg and Tony Borg, who served as chief of staff to former Minister for Gozo Giovanna Debono.[3]

He completed his legal studies at the University of Malta and has been a practicing lawyer since 2019.

Political career

In November 2020, Borg was elected to the MZPN's executive committee, to serve as Gozo Coordinator in the MZPN's executive committee.[4]

In July 2021, Borg was elected as a member of the Nationalist Party's Executive Committee.[5]

Borg was elected to the House of Representatives in March 2022.[6]

Leadership speculation and campaign

From his early career as an MP, Borg was tipped as a potential future leader for the party. In April 2022, a Malta Today survey found that around 70% of PN councillors want Grech to remain as leader. Borg was mentioned as an alternative candidate, as well as Franco Debono, Joe Giglio, Roberta Metsola, and Adrian Delia.[7] Borg stated that he will not run for PN leader at that moment, but does not rule out a future bid.[8]

During an edition of TVM’s Ħadt l-Aħbar, one of Malta’s most renowned political pundits, architect Robert Musumeci, has endorsed Borg as a future leader of the Nationalist Party.[9]

Borg played down suggestions by the Prime Minister Robert Abela that he intends to "dethrone" Bernard Grech as PN leader. Borg said he suspects Abela kept mentioning him during his Parliament speech because the Prime Minister is bothered by his successful work in Gozo.[10]

In February 2024, Borg made it to the front page of local newspaper Illum, whereby he was mentioned as a potential leader of the Nationalist Party, following the European Parliament Elections in June 2024.[11]

Following Bernard Grech's resignation as leader of the Nationalist Party[12] in June 2025, leaked internal PN surveys put Borg as the top choice.[13] Former leader Adrian Delia announced his candidacy for leadership the same month with Borg's backing. Just 24 hours later, Borg announced his intent to run for the post.[14]

The election was held on 6 September. At 01:00AM the next day, Borg announced his victory, though the PN Electoral Commission insisted the race was too close to call. The Electoral Commission formally confirmed Borg as leader at 04:00AM, beating Delia on a razor-thin majority of 44 votes.[15] He was sworn in as Leader of the Opposition by President Myriam Spiteri Debono on 10 September.[16]

Electoral record

Borg ran on the 13th District during the 2022 Maltese General Election. He obtained 6,108 first preference votes, beating some incumbent and high-ranking politicians in his own party and getting the highest number of first preference votes across all the districts after Party Leader Bernard Grech.[17]

Views

Ideologically, Borg has been described as a conservative, but he describes himself as centre-right who agrees with some socialist principles such as "bolstering social services, the welfare state, free healthcare and education".[18] In April 2025, Borg and fellow PN MP Eve Borg Bonello attended the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship conference on the invitation of British peer David Alton. The two posted a photo on social media with British Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch.[19]

Repubblika

In August 2021, local NGO Repubblika demanded an apology from Borg. The incident followed the Civil Society Network NGO asking social media users whether they would rather see the Nationalist Party replaced by a new political party. In a Facebook post, Borg condemned both non-governmental organisations and "completely disassociated" himself "from entities like these, whose main goal goes beyond the principles and values of our glorious party."[20]

Repubblika's president Robert Aquilina demanded an immediate apology.[21]

Franco Debono comeback

In January 2024, Borg endorsed a political comeback for Franco Debono, stating that he would like to see him more “active within the PN’s structures”. Debono was a one-time PN MP who became disgruntled with the party, voting against the 2013 budget, effectively bringing down Lawrence Gonzi's government.[22]

Euthanasia

Borg stated that if elected leader, he would allow a free vote to Nationalist MPs on a euthanasia bill.[23]

Abortion

Borg opposes abortion and believes in the value of life from conception until death. However he suggested that party members who favour abortion could still be welcomed within the PN and would “not be completely sidelined,” provided they adhere to the party’s core values and statute, which explicitly include opposing abortion from conception to death.[24]

Donald Trump

When asked by Lovin Malta in February 2024 who he would vote for between Joe Biden or Donald Trump in the 2024 United States presidential election, Borg endorsed Trump as he is "more pro-business".[25] In a March 2025 interview, Borg praised Trump for his pro-life stance and his "authentic" rhetoric and campaign style, while criticising his administration for threatening the EU with tariffs on imported alcohol.[26]

Controversy

In May 2025, Borg was found to have breached ethics by the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life, after he made misleading statements about the restoration of Fort Chambray by claiming the state would not need to shoulder the cost of the bastion restoration and was asked to issue a written apology. Borg refused to apologise and the case was referred to parliamentary standards committee.[27]

Personal life

Borg was raised in Nadur, Gozo and is currently living in Fontana, Gozo. He received his primary education at the Bishop's Conservatory School, secondary education at the Gozo College Secondary School, and attended sixth form at Sir M. A. Refalo in Victoria, Gozo.

Borg is a model and in 2020 won the Mr World Malta title.[28]

He has been in a relationship with TV presenter Sarah Bajada since before February 2024.[29]

References

  1. ^ Grech, Herman (6 September 2025). "As it happened: Alex Borg wins PN leadership contest by just 44 votes". Times of Malta. Allied Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  2. ^ Bonnici, Julian (2022-04-18). "Alex Borg To Take Gozo Portfolio In New PN Shadow Cabinet". Lovin Malta. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  3. ^ Briguglio, Lino (Summer 2019). "Tony Borg (1962-2018) His Life was One of Continuous Service to the Gozitans" (PDF). The Gozo Observer. pp. 33–34.
  4. ^ ""L-ideat u esperjenzi tal-membri se jgħinu l-MŻPN jilħaq għanijiet ġodda"". NETnews (in Maltese). 2020-11-30. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  5. ^ Muscat, Gavin (2021-07-07). "PN to hold election for executive committee". Newsbook. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  6. ^ "PN has new Gozo heavyweight as newcomer Alex Borg wins over 6,000 votes". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  7. ^ "MaltaToday Survey: PN councillors say Bernard Grech should remain leader ahead of election". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  8. ^ "Alex Borg will not run for PN leader, but does not rule out a future bid". Times of Malta. 25 April 2022. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  9. ^ Diacono, Tim (2023-02-16). "Watch: Robert Musumeci Endorses Alex Borg As PN Leader, Says He Has Best Chance Of Making Inroads Into PL's Majority". Lovin Malta. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  10. ^ Diacono, Tim (26 October 2023). "Watch: Alex Borg On Abela's PN Leadership Taunt: 'My Work In Gozo Is Bothering Him'". Lovin Malta. Lovin Malta Ltd. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  11. ^ "Il-papabbli għall-kap il-ġdid tal-Partit Nazzjonalista". Illum. MediaToday Co. Ltd. 25 February 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  12. ^ Farrugia, Matthew (10 June 2025). "WATCH | Bernard Grech resigns from PN leader". MaltaToday. MediaToday Co. Ltd. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  13. ^ Cordina, John Paul (17 June 2025). "Leaked survey puts Alex Borg ahead in PN leadership race". Newsbook. Beacon Media GRoup. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  14. ^ Balzan, Jurgen (25 June 2025). "Alex Borg enters PN leadership race despite reported pact with Delia". Newsbook. Beacon Media Group. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  15. ^ Grech, Herman (6 September 2025). "As it happened: Alex Borg wins PN leadership contest by just 44 votes". Times of Malta. Allied Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  16. ^ Magri, Giulia (10 September 2025). "Alex Borg sworn in as Opposition leader". Times of Malta. Allied Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  17. ^ "PN has new Gozo heavyweight as newcomer Alex Borg wins over 6,000 votes". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  18. ^ Meilak, Nicole (20 July 2025). "WATCH | Alex Borg: 'I'm centre-right, but my door is open to everyone'". MaltaToday. MediaToday Co. Ltd. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  19. ^ Diacono, Tim (21 April 2025). "British Lord Invites Maltese MPs To London Conservative Summit". Lovin Malta. Lovin Malta Ltd. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  20. ^ "Repubblika warns of 'fascist attack' by new PN candidate, calls for apology". Times of Malta. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  21. ^ "Repubblika demands apology from PN candidate Alex Borg for 'fascist attack'". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  22. ^ Dalli, Miriam; Balzan, Jurgen; Vella, Matthew; Stagno Navarra, Karl (10 December 2012). "Franco Debono votes against budget | Gonzi: 'Franco Debono is a closed chapter, he is irrelevant'". MaltaToday. MediaToday Co. Ltd. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  23. ^ Meilak, Nicole; Azzopardi, Karl (13 July 2025). "Alex Borg wants free vote on euthanasia, Adrian Delia says he'd vote against". MaltaToday. MediaToday Co. Ltd. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  24. ^ Balzan, Jurgen (13 August 2025). "Both PN candidates oppose abortion, but differ on free votes and cannabis". Newsbook. Beacon Media Group Ltd. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  25. ^ Camilleri, Mark (20 February 2024). "The Nationalist Party MPs who prefer Trump to Biden". The Maltese Herald. The Maltese Herald. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  26. ^ Malta, Lovin (14 March 2025). "Watch: 'Trump Is A Nationalist' - Alex Borg Praises US President But Criticises Alcohol Tariff Threat". Lovin Malta. Lovin Malta Ltd. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  27. ^ Galdes, Marc (6 May 2025). "Alex Borg breached ethics for misleading comments on Fort Chambray". Times of Malta. Allied Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  28. ^ Galea, Rachel (22 November 2020). "Miss and Mr World Malta finalists…". TVMnews.mt. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  29. ^ Galea, Charlene (27 February 2024). "PN MP Alex Borg And TV Presenter Sarah Bajada Go Public With Their Relationship". Lovin Malta. Lovin Malta Ltd. Retrieved 22 August 2025.