Published: 09:29 AM, 01 June 2026
Labour Party wins fourth successive general elections in Malta
Supporters of Malta's Labour Party show four fingers, representing a record-breaking fourth consecutive term in power, amid celebrations as the party claimed victory in the general election, outside the party headquarters in Hamrun, Malta on 31 May 2026. Reuters
Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela claimed a record-breaking, fourth successive general election victory for Malta's Labour Party on Sunday (31 May 2026).
"This is a victory of all the people based on the program we presented for all the people," Abela told reporters, saying results showed his party had "won a strong mandate".
"Let us maintain the spirit of national unity and move the country forward together," he said. Journalists following the vote count said Labour had won a comfortable parliamentary majority, although it appeared to be narrower than in 2022, when it took 55% of all ballots cast, reports Reuters.
Charles Bonello, general secretary of the opposition Nationalist Party, conceded the election in remarks to TVM, the state broadcaster, but said his party had nonetheless managed to slash back Labour's majority.
The election was held on Saturday and saw a turnout of 87.4%, slightly up on the last general election in 2022. Labour campaigned on the strength of a strong economy, experience and credibility in government. The Nationalist Party argued that people's quality of life had deteriorated despite a growing economy in the European Union's smallest nation. Abela, who succeeded Joseph Muscat as leader of the Labour Party in 2020, will be sworn in on Monday morning.
Abela, 48, called the snap election a year early, saying the government needed a fresh mandate to shield the tiny, import-heavy island from geopolitical crises. While Malta's economy grew 4 percent last year, there are concerns the conflict in the Middle East could have an impact on tourism due to spiralling aviation fuel costs and drive up inflation.
>>Agency
