Sant re-elected Labour leader

Alfred Sant was last night re-elected leader of the Labour Party at an extraordinary general conference, winning just under 68 per cent of valid votes cast by party delegates.

The post of leader was contested by another two contenders: John Attard Montalto, who polled eight per cent, and Anglu Farrugia, who won just over 24 per cent.

Dr Sant has been leading the party since March 1992, winning the 1996 general election but losing those of 1998 and 2003, apart from the EU referendum on March 8.

It was a comfortable victory for Dr Sant, although a far cry from the 98.4 per cent of the vote that he won in 1998 following the electoral defeat. The statute lays down that a candidate must obtain 50 per cent plus one of the votes. If a candidate does not win a clear majority, a second round of voting would have to be held between the two winning the highest number of votes.

There were 915 potential voters of which 886 voted. There were 11 invalid votes, one of which had "Viva George Abela" scrawled over it.

Dr Sant won 594 of the 875 valid votes, or 67.9 per cent. Dr Attard Montalto won 70 votes - eight per cent - and Dr Farrugia won 211 votes, or 24.1 per cent.

Dr Sant, who was not present when the conference opened, turned up to vote at 9.45 p.m. but left straight afterwards. Dr Farrugia was present throughout the counting, along with an agent, while Dr Attard Montalto was represented by an agent. The press were present for the counting process.

Electoral Commission chairman Joe Falzon announced the result of the vote at 12.15 a.m.

Dr Farrugia left as soon as the result became known, declining to give any comment. In the meantime, about 100 people gathered outside the headquarters to celebrate Dr Sant's victory, while other supporters celebrated in a room adjacent to the counting room.

In a statement following the election, Dr Sant thanked the delegates for showing confidence in him, and promised he would work continuously to protect and strengthen Maltese and Gozitan families.

"I do this out of respect and commitment towards the primary principles on which the Labour Party is built: freedom and neutrality; social justice; and the creation of new opportunities for workers and youths."

He said the party was facing new realities and circumstances. It was a strong and united party which would continue to contribute in a large way to a better future for Malta in the current European and Mediterranean context.

He expressed confidence that with the combined work of Labour's creative talents, the party had started on the road to regaining the confidence of the majority of the people.

Dr Sant also paid tribute to Dr Attard Montalto and Dr Farrugia, and said he would be issuing as few public pronouncements as possible in the coming days so as not to be construed as intervening in next week's contest for deputy leaders.

The day after the electoral defeat on April 12, Dr Sant had said during a programme on Super One radio he did not intend to contest the leadership position. A few days later, 13 Labour mayors appealed to him in a handwritten letter to reconsider, an appeal which was later picked up by other Labour supporters. On May 1, Dr Sant announced he intended to contest after all.

Dr Attard Montalto had announced his intention to contest the day after the election and Dr Farrugia waited a few weeks before making his intentions clear.