Aħwa Maltin (), previously called the People's Party (, PP), also called the Popular Party by Maltese English-language media, is a minor conservative political party in Malta. It was founded in July 2020 and is currently headed by Paul Salomone. The party has never obtained any seats in local councils or the Maltese parliament. It does not contest European elections. It has been labelled right-wing to far-right in the media, however the party rejects this characterisation.
History The party, founded as the People's Party () was registered in July 2020 and would be launched later in November of the same year. In the first annual general meeting held on 4 August 2020, Paul Salomone, who had previously contested the 2008 election on the list of National Action, was confirmed leader of the party. In the 2022 general election, the first election the party participated in, contested with a total of 8 candidates in all 13 districts. They received 1,533 votes (0.53%) and did not elect any of their candidates, coming in second place amongst the third parties after ADPD and fourth nationwide.
Even if sharing the same name, the party shared no history or inspiration with the People's Party of 1895 founded by Sigismondo Savona. The party also remembered Enrico Mizzi in the 72nd anniversary of his death.
In early 2025, the party updated their name to the Brothers of Malta, modelling themselves on the Fratelli d'Italia party.
In the 2026 general election, the party received 1845 first count votes, coming in fifth out of all the parties.
In September 2026, the party leader Paul Salomone announced that the party will be dissolved following low interest in volunteers and candidates.
Ideology Ideologically, it was a right-wing populist and conservative party, and it opposed immigration, opposing "the abuse of the asylum system to facilitate economic migration". The party's founding document, entitled Il-Pilastri tal-Partit Popolari (), described it as seeking the "wider use of the referendum", promoting the principle of subsidiarity locally and at the European level, supporting "the traditional family without prejudice to the rights of non-traditional families", and seeking to "represent Malta in Europe rather than Europe in Malta". The party coupled together traditional-conservative positions with Eurosceptic and anti-immigration stances.
The party itself stated that their policies are similar to those of the centre-right Partit Nazzjonalista until the 2000s, and thus that labelling the party as far-right would be profoundly incorrect. As recently as 2011 however, it was noted that the Partit Nazzjonalista platform was still "far to the right of most other Christian Democratic parties, the Bavarian Christian Social Union in Germany included".Hans Slomp, Europe, A Political Profile, 2011, p.685
LGBTQ The party proposed preference of heterosexual couples over non-heterosexual couples in adoption. It has also proposed the removal of government funding for gender affirming care for all ages and the raising of the minimum age to 21, despite the medical age of consent being 16 in Malta. The party made a Facebook post on 13 January 2023 disapproving of the government's strengthening of a law which strengthens bans on gay conversion therapy, claiming that it tramples on individual liberty. On 7 February 2023 another Facebook post by the party claimed that they are against "Indoctrination of our children at school", in reference to an article by tabloid newspaper LovinMalta regarding new government policy aimed at making schools more inclusive.
COVID-19 politics On the 16 January 2022 It organized anti-green pass protests. Furthermore, the party also protested against preventive measures against COVID-19, such as lockdowns and the distribution of vaccines.
Abortion The party declared its total opposition to abortion with Salomone having stated that abortion is the killing of the innocent, and he declared that if the People's Party were elected, it would do everything in its power to save the life of the unborn. He also stated that he understood the situations of women who become pregnant unintentionally or suffer from mental or financial challenges, and therefore wants to support pregnant women throughout their pregnancy. Additionally, he promised that women who wished to have an abortion would be assisted in placing their children for adoption. Moreover, parents facing financial difficulties would be provided with social assistance.
Immigration Aħwa Maltin as did the former PP advocates for a more restrictive immigration policy in Malta. The party opposes the government's reliance on foreign labor to sustain economic growth, arguing that this approach undermines Malta’s national identity and social cohesion. According to the party, Malta is experiencing overdevelopment and cultural decline, with increasing pressure on local workers due to an influx of cheap labor. Paul Salomone stated that he has nothing against foreigners, but believes that it should be focused stronger on their integration into Maltese society by learning the Maltese language and respecting local customs. The party also asserts that migration issues should be addressed at their origin, particularly in Africa, rather than managed at the Mediterranean border. It questions the classification of migrants who pay thousands of euros to reach Malta as economic migrants. In 2026, the party campaigned in favour of mass remigration.
Economy The former party's president, Karmenu Borg, has stated that Malta should follow the example of countries that have developed ecosystems of innovation, emphasizing the importance of promoting entrepreneurship, research, and development. The People's Party advocates for an economic model focused on high value-added activities rather than one reliant on low wages. Borg also noted that the party would seek to reform the social assistance system to eliminate incentives that may lead to misuse of public funds. In 2026, the party advocated for an economic model primarily based around motorsport, proposing the removal of all road taxes, reduction of VAT on taxi drivers, the completion of a racing track at Hal Far to serve as an educational institution for motorsport, the regular organising of classic car rallies and parades aimed at boosting tourism, and the construction of an offshore Formula One racetrack on an artificial island created by dumping domestic waste from the Maghtab landfill into the sea. The party claimed that this would generate billions of euros in income.
Direct democracy The party advocates for enhanced direct democracy and increased citizen participation in governance. The party supports the use of referendums as a tool to ensure that the populace has a direct say in significant national decisions.
The party has already called for referendums on abortion, Gozitan regional autonomy and the European Union, emphasizing their commitment to allowing citizens to directly influence legislative decisions.
In its 2026 election manifesto, Aħwa Maltin has called for the direct election of regional governments in Malta and Gozo, the strengthening of local authorities including but not limited to increasing the maximum number of councillors in local councils and more powers related to councils' particular jurisdiction areas, an increase in financing local councils as long as it is proportional and the power to stop construction projects if residents oppose them. Finally they propose that the central or regional government compensate local councils for necessary works that would negatively impact the localities. All of these protections would be guaranteed by a constitutional amendment.
Activity The party was mainly active through press conferences and statements sent to national television. It also jointly participated in press conferences on cost of living and social values with Catholic social teaching-inspired think tank Moviment Solidarjetà (), led by former Nationalist MP Edwin Vassallo.
The party announced its dissolution on the 21st of September 2026 after being unable to find a single person willing to lead it.
Gallery
Election results
House of Representatives ElectionLeaderVotes%Seats+/–RankStatus2022 Paul Salomone1,5330.52New4th20261,8450.60 05th
Local Councils Election Leader Votes % Seats +/– Rank 2024 Paul Salomone 227 0.09 New 5th
References