Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545159
2 NEWS 2 NEWS 2 maltatoday | MONDAY • 1 JUNE 2026 NEWS ELECTION 2026 THE Labour Party secured a historic fourth general elec- tion victory on Sunday win- ning 51.8% of the vote and a majority of 21,721 votes. The Nationalist Party re- ceived the support of 44.7% of the electorate, while third parties collectively obtained 3.6%. The official turnout at 87.4% was almost two points higher than 2022. The increase was registered across all districts, with the highest participation in the 7 District and the lowest in the 12 District. Labour's election campaign was based on stability, high- lighting its credibility and the experienced team of minis- ters ready to lead in turbulent times. On a number of occa- sions during the campaign, Abela drew comparisons be- tween the PL's team of min- isters, mentioning by name people like Clyde Caruana, Miriam Dalli, Jonathan Attard and Ian Borg, and the PN's lack of experience, embodied by its young leader Alex Borg. On the other hand, the PN campaign emphasised the need for change, centred around the youthfulness of its leader Alex Borg. The PN projected a positive message, straying away from mudslinging and claims of corruption. Borg emphasised continuity of Labour's good but promised change on issues it had failed to address. 'We wrote history' – Robert Abela Addressing journalists at the Naxxar Counting Hall on Sun- day morning, Prime Minister Robert Abela described the election victory as a win for all Malta and Gozo. "Thank you for the trust. We wrote history together," Abela said later on Facebook. "We will go on to implement the electoral programme," he added, as he called for nation- al unity to prevail and urged supporters to celebrate with respect. Despite securing a comforta- ble lead, Labour saw its 2022 majority slashed in half. Ques- tioned on this, Abela simply replied: "It is still bigger than any Nationalist victory." He also congratulated Alex Borg for conducting a posi- tive campaign, saying that the same spirit must continue go- ing forward. At the PL's headquarters in Ħamrun later on Sunday, Ab- ela told a jubilant crowd the victory was attributable to them. "This win is yours, because our manifesto was written by you," he said. Keeping with tradition, Abela addressed the crowd from the building's balcony, praising the sense of unity he said had been fostered by the PL's positive campaign and insisting that this national pride must continue every day. "Let's roll up our sleeves. We are going to work even harder for you," he said. Alex Borg strikes hopeful tone Later on Sunday, National- ist Party leader Alex Borg also visited the Naxxar Counting Hall, striking a hopeful tone despite the defeat. "In four years, the gap has been cut by more than half," he told reporters. "This shows clearly why the prime minister may have called the election a year early. Hope has not weak- ened; hope has grown strong- er." Asked whether he would seek re-election as party leader or step down following the loss, Borg said he would follow the process set out in the party's statute. "Everyone wants to win, but we respect the democrat- ic process, that is part of the normality of democracy in our country," he said. "I am look- ing ahead to continue working harder than ever before." Borg said his focus now would be holding the govern- ment to account on the com- mitments it made during the campaign. "We will keep the govern- ment in check and ensure that its promises do not remain on paper," he said. "I have always said, I will not wait for the Na- tionalist Party to be in govern- ment to work for the good of the Maltese and Gozitan peo- ple." He said the party intended to be an effective opposition but a clear alternative vision for the country, offering concrete proposals for the future. Robert Abela will be sworn in as prime minister today at the Grand Master's Palace in Val- letta at around 11am. Additional reporting: Matthew Farrugia, Juliana Zammit and Eva Brannon. Labour writes history with fourth straight victory Alex Borg strikes hopeful tone despite defeat Photos: Daniel Tihn/MaltaToday