In recent years, the Nationalist Party has adopted an increasingly aggressive stance towards the country’s institutions, reflecting the tactics often employed by extremist right-wing parties abroad. The pattern is disturbingly familiar: undermine the public’s trust in the nation’s key institutions, then launch a frontal attack to destabilise their work. The aim is clear: to make those working within these institutions feel threatened and intimidated, ultimately hoping to break their resolve and force them to bend to the demands of the attackers. This relentless strategy, unfortunately, has been playing out in Malta for several years now.

The turning point came after the 2013 election when the Maltese electorate placed their trust in the Labour Party, rejecting the arrogance of GonziPN, which had led the country for several years. This resounding defeat left the Nationalists disillusioned, but rather than regrouping, they resorted to an underhanded campaign designed to undermine the government’s work. Although out of power, the Nationalist Party seemed intent on obstructing the Labour administration, using the country’s institutions as a means to impose their own political agenda.

Over time, the Nationalist Party has mounted a series of attacks on various national institutions, a phenomenon that has now become routine. These attacks have grown in scale and frequency, targeting the Police Commissioner and his force, the Attorney General and the State Advocate, and even the senior civil servants, including Permanent Secretaries. What is deeply troubling is that the only crime these individuals have committed is fulfilling their duties with professionalism, in line with the law, for the good of the Maltese people.

The Nationalists’ grievance seems to stem from the fact that under a Labour government, Malta embarked on an unprecedented journey of democratic reforms aimed at strengthening national institutions. These reforms, which included changes to the way key judicial and governmental appointments were made, were a significant step towards ending the partisan practices that had once marred the country’s political landscape. These changes, however, were met with resistance from the Nationalists, who had previously refused to implement similar reforms despite internal pressure to do so.

The Labour government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Robert Abela, took decisive action to dismantle the concentrated power that had been held by the Prime Minister in the past, particularly with regard to the appointment of judges, the Attorney General, and the Commissioner of Police. These changes were made as part of a broader commitment to strengthening the rule of law. The Nationalists, on the other hand, had never seen such reforms as necessary and were unwilling to relinquish control over such powerful positions when they were in power.

Let’s not forget that we had a Nationalist Prime Minister who attempted to interfere with a court trial that didn’t go his way, advocating for the abolition of the jury system as a result. This served as a clear illustration of the Nationalist Party’s willingness to attack the very institutions designed to safeguard democracy.

In more recent times, the rhetoric has become even more extreme. The members of the extremist faction within the Nationalist Party have gone so far as to challenge judicial decisions they disagree with, calling for criminal action against judges and even requesting the confiscation of Magistrates’ laptops. While it is standard in any judicial system to file an appeal if a party disagrees with a decision, the calls for criminal prosecution against those in the judiciary reflect a dangerous level of extremism. This is a direct attack not only on the judiciary but on the very foundation of Malta’s democracy.

Moreover, the Nationalist Party has shown a disturbing willingness to align itself with extremist forces within its own ranks. The rise of figures like Karol Aquilina, who has effectively taken control of the party’s extremist agenda, has only deepened concerns. This shift was laid bare in Parliament, when Nationalist Leader Bernard Grech appeared to bow to the demands of the extremist wing of his party, a move that led to the withdrawal of all Nationalist MPs from a parliamentary vote aimed at showing solidarity with Speaker Anġlu Farrugia.

The Nationalist Party’s recent behaviour in Parliament, including vitriolic attacks on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, is yet another manifestation of their growing extremism. Instead of respectfully criticising decisions with which they disagree, Nationalist MPs have resorted to personal insults and attacks, undermining the integrity of the highest office in the country. Such conduct is not only inappropriate but deeply damaging to the reputation of the institution they purport to represent.

The Nationalist Party continues to be hijacked by its extreme wing, and it is clear that there is little hope for a return to more moderate and responsible politics. Their attacks on institutions, reminiscent of the tactics employed by far-right parties in Europe, have not slowed down and, if anything, seem to be escalating.

In this context, it is crucial for the Labour Party to remain steadfast in its commitment to the mandate it was given by the people. The Labour government, under Prime Minister Abela’s leadership, has a strong mandate to create wealth and improve the standard of living for the Maltese people. Despite the disruptive tactics employed by the Nationalists, the unity within the Labour Party remains a cornerstone of its ability to move forward and ensure that the progress made in strengthening Malta’s democratic institutions continues.