Labour supporters greeted Prime Minister Robert Abela’s record fourth consecutive general election win on Sunday as a victory not just for the party, but for the entire country, framing the result as a mandate for stability in an uncertain global climate. As soon as the opposition Nationalist Party conceded defeat at the Naxxar counting complex, cheers erupted from Labour crowds who held up four fingers to mark the historic fourth straight term, before fireworks lit up the Mediterranean island and traditional car parades wound through Hamrun and other localities. Supporters dressed in red chanted “four times” and sang “We are the Champions” from trucks with speakers blaring, while 73-year-old Margaret Camilleri told reporters she had voted Labour since she was a little girl and was thrilled they had made history.
Addressing crowds from the party headquarters balcony in Hamrun, Abela described the outcome as “a win for all Maltese and Gozitans” and said the result was based on a programme presented for all the people. He called for national unity and urged supporters to celebrate respectfully, adding that the party had “won a strong mandate” to move ahead with its electoral pledges. The prime minister had called the snap election a year early, arguing Malta needed a fresh mandate to shield the import-heavy island from geopolitical uncertainty and the Middle East crisis, which has raised concern about aviation fuel costs, inflation, and tourism.
Although Labour secured a comfortable parliamentary majority, its lead narrowed. Opposition leader Alex Borg said the Nationalist Party had cut the winning margin to around 18,000 votes from 39,000 in 2022, with Labour taking less than the 55% share it won at the last election. Turnout reached 87.4%, slightly higher than in 2022. Borg congratulated Abela but told supporters the campaign marked “the rebirth of something beautiful” for the PN, saying “you should never be embarrassed for wanting change”.
Labour campaigned on Malta’s economic record since 2013, with GDP growing 4% last year and no real unemployment, pledging stability amid international challenges. For many supporters at the counting hall, the fourth term was about continuity: “Today we have written a page in history, together,” Abela said, as crowds chanted “Robert is our leader, Hallelujah”. The result extends Labour’s time in power to at least 17 years and gives Abela a renewed mandate to govern the EU’s smallest state, with supporters insisting the victory reflects confidence in the country’s direction and a collective win for Malta.
