Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela has secured a fourth successive election victory for his Labour Party, extending its hold on power, though with a reduced majority compared with previous polls.
Speaking after early results, Abela described the outcome as a strong endorsement of his government’s agenda.
“This is a victory of all the people based on the programme we presented for all the people,” he said, adding that the result reflected a clear mandate from voters.
Opposition narrows margin
The opposition Nationalist Party, led by Alex Borg, conceded defeat, while noting a significant narrowing of the gap. Borg said the margin had been cut to around 18,000 votes, down from roughly 39,000 in the 2022 election, calling the result a setback but urging supporters not to lose hope.
Final results were still pending, but early indications suggested Labour would retain a comfortable parliamentary majority, albeit with a smaller share of the vote than the 55% it secured in the previous election. Turnout stood at 87.4%, slightly higher than in 2022.
Celebrations broke out among Labour supporters at the vote-counting centre in Naxxar, where crowds marked the historic result. Festivities later continued with gatherings at party headquarters and traditional car parades across the country.
Abela called the snap election a year ahead of schedule, citing global uncertainty. His campaign focused on Malta’s strong economic performance, with growth of around 4% last year and low unemployment helping support voter confidence.
However, challenges remain. The conflict in the Middle East has raised concerns about inflation, particularly for Malta’s import-dependent economy and tourism sector, both sensitive to rising fuel costs.
The opposition entered the election weakened by internal divisions, with Borg taking over leadership only months before the vote, leaving limited time to present a fully developed alternative platform.
Malta’s political landscape remains dominated by the Labour and Nationalist parties, with smaller parties failing to cross the 5% threshold needed to secure parliamentary representation.
Abela, who became prime minister in 2020 after succeeding Joseph Muscat, is expected to be sworn in for a new term on Monday.
Oil prices fell after the U.S. expanded economic sanctions on Iran, as Tehran vowed to retaliate and warned it had tools to respond, raising concer...
Kyiv has recently received a small number of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors capable of downing Russian ballistic miss...
Türkiye has established four sub-commissions to oversee the implementation of a new legal framework tied to the disarmament of the outlawed Ku...
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that Kyiv wants peace but will not surrender to Russia, as foreign leaders joined Independence Day events marking 35 years since Ukraine’s independence.
Oil prices fell after the U.S. expanded economic sanctions on Iran, as Tehran vowed to retaliate and warned it had tools to respond, raising concerns over potential disruption to regional oil supplies.
A newly created pro-government political party has secured a commanding victory in Kazakhstan's snap parliamentary election, according to exit polls, strengthening President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's influence at a pivotal moment in the country's political transition.
Only four commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, following 13 transits a day earlier, as disruptions continue to restrict traffic through the key energy chokepoint.
Kyiv has recently received a small number of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors capable of downing Russian ballistic missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. It comes as Britain and France pledged stronger military support for Ukraine.
Kyiv has recently received a small number of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors capable of downing Russian ballistic missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. It comes as Britain and France pledged stronger military support for Ukraine.
Canada has announced nearly $20 billion in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods and billions in support for workers and businesses, escalating its trade dispute with Washington after President Donald Trump's latest duties took effect.
Pakistani exporters are facing soaring shipping costs to the U.S., with freight rates more than tripling on some routes as the Iran-U.S. conflict drives up war-risk insurance and fuel costs.
The trial of a Libyan man accused of building the bomb that destroyed Pan Am Flight 103 over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in 1988, killing 270 people, has been postponed by a U.S. federal judge.
France and Saudi Arabia have agreed on plans for a $7 billion manga-themed amusement complex near Paris, inspired by the hugely popular Japanese franchise Dragon Ball Z.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment