Daniel Attard

Health Ministry data confirm the figure. By January 2026 Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela reported 880 babies had been born through Malta's reformed IVF programme since the law came into force, with another 163 in gestation — a cumulative total of 1,043. The 2022 Embryo Protection (Amendment) Act widened access to IVF, legalised gamete donation, allowed embryo freezing and permitted pre-implantation genetic testing for serious hereditary conditions, and raised the IVF age limit from 43 to 48. 'Over 1,000 babies' fairly characterises the outcome on the Ministry's own count.

Borg did invoke Ibiza as the model — but the basis of his argument (Ibiza halved tourism while doubling revenue) is factually wrong per the existing Spunt fact-check. The literal quote stands; the underlying claim it relied on doesn't.

The Commission has flagged Malta's broad-based energy subsidies as a fiscal-sustainability concern in country-specific recommendations and during the Excessive Deficit Procedure period. The 'PN-followed-EU-austerity' framing is more interpretive — pre-2013 PN consolidation existed, but wasn't a uniform austerity template.

Borg opened the door to Gozo high-rises in a WhosWho.mt interview during the leadership campaign, then said 'read my lips: I do not want high-rises in Gozo' on 22 September 2025 after pushback. Position changed publicly within days.

Three PL politicians (Abela, Attard, Camilleri) attributed this position to Alex Borg across separate events in late April and early May 2026. Borg said it on 21 April 2026, framing Malta's neutrality as meaning the Iran war 'doesn't affect us'. Energy Minister Dalli and Finance Minister Caruana publicly denounced the comment the same day.