Labour's Prime Minister Robert Abella is the heavy favourite for the election, for which he campaigned on the management of the health crisis and his party's economic record after nine years in power.
But the small Mediterranean island, where the turnout rate generally exceeds 90%, saw that campaign overshadowed by concerns linked to the war in Ukraine. And Labour's image remains linked to corruption allegations uncovered by journalist Daphne Karwana Galizia, whose murder in October 2017 shocked the country and the world.
After being criticised for attempts to influence the investigation, Joseph Muscat quit as prime minister in early 2020. His successor took steps to strengthen the rule of law and press freedom, still considered insufficient by anti-corruption activists and the family of Caruana Galizia.
At his last campaign rally the day before Thursday, Abela called on his supporters to trust him so he can continue to change things.
But the leader of the nationalist party, Bernard Grech, is keeping the pressure on his opponent, calling into question the government's management. Our democracy is at stake, he warned at a rally in the capital Valletta.
Malta[/B], located off Sicily, is the smallest and most densely populated country in the European Union: about 516,000 people live in 316 square kilometres.
A former British colony, with Catholicism as the state religion, it has built a booming economy based mainly on tourism, offshore companies and online gaming, but faces accusations that portray it as a tax haven.
Malta was included last year by the Global Financial Action Task Force (GAFI) on a grey list of countries under increased surveillance because of its exposure to money laundering and terrorist financing.
The country is also criticised for the gold passport scheme it gives to wealthy investors who often never return to it.
Under political pressure, Abela suspended this programme for Russians and Belarusians after the invasion of Ukraine, but the European Parliament this month called for all such programmes in the EU to be scrapped.
For many voters, economic growth remains the main concern.
After a free-fall in the economy caused by the health crisis, growth topped 9 percent last year, thanks to government support for individuals and businesses.
Source: CNA
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