Muscat tells cheering crowd he will govern for everyone
Prime Minister-elect Joseph Muscat made his long-awaited appearance on the balcony of Labour headquarters this afternoon to acknowledge the applause of thousands of people gathered at the MileEnd in Hamrun.
His appearance with Mrs Muscat threw the crowd into delirium as he was introduced as Malta's prime minister, to a cacophony of horns and cheers.
The delirium continued until later, when Mr and Mrs Muscat arrived on The Granaries in Floriana, where Dr Muscat was welcomed as 'Prime Minister Joseph Muscat'.
From the PL headquarters balcony, Dr Muscat waved with both hands at the sea of white and red flags, accompanied by PL deputy leaders Louis Grech and Tony Abela and other members of the party administration.
Dr Muscat said Labour was elected as a movement, and would govern as a movement.
"The sun has not risen for half of Malta, but for Malta as a whole, both for those who voted for change as well as our fellow Maltese who did not," he said.
This was not a Malta for the victors, but Malta Taghna Lkoll, he said to applause.
This, he said was the strongest mandate given by the people to a government since independence. It was a mandate which was so strong that it humbled him.
"The people have loaned us their trust to represent them all and that is what we will do," he promised.
He was promising, he said, that he would work as hard as he could for no one to feel a stranger in his own country.
"We will show that we believed what we campaigned for," he said.
He urged his listeners to help ensure that this was a government which would not cut itself off from the people.
He expressed particular gratitude to young people for having been protagonists, not spectators. "Now extend the arm of friendship for everyone," he stressed to cheering.
Another celebration will be held at The Granaries next Saturday, Dr Muscat told the ecstatic crowd.
The waiting crowd on the granaries.
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Darby Allen
Mar 11th, 16:22
A Maltese renting a property in England pays the same for his utilities as his English neighbour; a foreigner renting a property in Malta pays much more for his utilities than his Maltese neighbour. I do hope that Mr Muscat will end this unfairness which, while strictly legal, is nevertheless immoral.
stephen mifsud
Mar 11th, 02:41
Joseph your the man now so pick up that ball and run with it ... congratulations to all involved afterall we all love Malta and the Maltese ... bless you all and always remember we are a family on this most beautiful island MALTA... !!!
M. Bezzina
Mar 10th, 23:54
L izghar Pm li kienu jghidu li mandux esperjenza.....taghkom risposta
Rebecca Bartolo
Mar 10th, 23:11
Dr. Joseph Muscat , a natural born leader. Congratulations to all ! Sa flahhar, MALTA TAGHNA LLKOLL , U MHUX TAL KLIKKEK BISS !
Simon Abela
Mar 10th, 22:58
Tal Genn I am so happy for the Bidla and the New PL I wish the best to Dr Muscat and his team. I hope to see real changes in the way Malta conducts business especailly in the Environmental Helath and Safety Departments as some of the existing cnsultants are not qualified to be in a leading role.
Viva il-Labor that always believed in the Maltese worker
Simon T Abela
Texas USA
Wilfred Camilleri
Mar 10th, 22:52
It's finally over. Let the governing begin. I wish the best for Malta and for all Maltese people.
John Abela
Mar 10th, 21:33
Joseph Muscat will be a fantastic prime minister. He will give Malta back to the people.
albert pace
Mar 10th, 21:24
With AG, LB, PA,DCG and EGC assisting the PN, the PL can govern for the next 100 years.
albert pace
Mar 10th, 21:12
The PL could never loose the elections once the person in charge of the PN election strategy was one of the most incompetent ministers
Pippo de Marco
Mar 10th, 20:49
I think this victory is more about NOT wanting Gonzi than actually wanting Muscat.
PN's fate was sealed as soon as the election campaign started with Gonzi as its leader.
What goes around, comes around.
Raymond Fenech
Mar 10th, 20:48
It's not about winning it's about governing now. So let's hope that this victory is followed by sensible decisions and gouing forward together. To win an election after the pn were in government for 25 years is easy because it's always those in government that are in for criticism. But now Labour have to make their mark and keep all the promises they made - votes are easily lost over 5 years.
B. Farrugia
Mar 10th, 20:18
The Maltese have spoken,
and declared what they want.
The ball is in Joseph`s court and the Maltese to carry out the roadmap
to aim for the vision of Malta.
P Sciberras
Mar 10th, 20:08
@ M Bencini, your old ways of playing the victims and the innocents had expired now. Try and grow up,learn and adjust yourself,and think forward not in reverse.
Pierre Fenech
Mar 10th, 20:08
I voted PL first time after voting PN for so many elections and proud about it. I have been saying for months that the PN is doomed but nobody within the clique wanted to listen. Who knows why??!! I have my views on this but anyway now I wish well to Joseph Muscat who will now lead our beloved country for the next 5 years. I am sure he will do well .
S Sammut
Mar 11th, 07:00
Good luck Pierre!
Paul Borg
Mar 10th, 19:53
Malajr urih min hu irrelevanti lil Gonzi!
Angelo Xerri
Mar 10th, 19:43
Angelo Xerri
It was about time for PL to have a Leader that can lead and win good.
Congratulations Joseph and PL.
Denis Pace
Mar 10th, 19:24
JPO has hit rock bottom now......
Matthias Farrugia
Mar 11th, 00:36
and so did GONZIPN
Charles Bayliss
Mar 11th, 06:38
JPO like Franco Debono is a hero to the Maltese Nation and indirectly they were proven right when Gonzi admitted defeat and took full responsibility. Taking full responsibility is admitting that you were wrong and did not read the warnings on the wall. No man should be threated like a carpet to wipe your feet upon and let it rot away. Thank you JPO AND FD. VERY WELL DONE. THE NEW PN WILL NEED YOU.
John Bugeja
Mar 10th, 19:18
The people have spoken loud and clear. This is the beauty of democracy that we have come to enjoy. I am highly confident that the PL will build on the successes of the nationalists and strive to address their failures in other areas. Ultimately this will be beneficial to the country's economy which means beneficial to ALL its citizens.
Pierre Camilleri
Mar 10th, 19:11
I am one of those pn non voters.
Well done to Pl
The hiding the Pn got they will never forget
Now the fat cats are out , Good Luck To JM
Pierre Camilleri
Teresa Hudson
Mar 10th, 19:00
Instead of all the bickering it is time that we all grow up and be mature. It is important that the chance is given to Dr. Joseph Muscat. We should as Maltese people work together hand in hand in giving support and be patient. The changes spoken about, we all have to realise, can not be made "quick", Rome was not built in a day!
We should Love and give - Not hate and take
Joseph Cauchi Senior
Mar 10th, 18:54
Joseph Muscat is Malta’s PM. Congratulations!
Winning the elections was the easy part; now governing is the difficult part!
JC.
ALFRED BRIFFA
Mar 10th, 18:50
Seeing JPO wearing a red trousers and celebrating with the PL supporters at the Granaries make we realize what a traitor was lurking around Dr Lawrence Gonzi during the last five years! Shame on you!
C Baldacchino
Mar 10th, 18:56
Mhux ovvja li jmur, they have promised he will keep his post! heh, ghalxejn ma naghmlu xejn ta!
Bertrand Gove
Mar 10th, 23:09
He's the most ungrateful person on earth. Gonzi pulled him out of the dragon's mouth five years ago and what he's done is create trouble and hatching nasty plans for 5 full years. He's now partying with Labour. The land he owns in Mistra will probably be getting some facelift very soon.
J E Micallef
Mar 11th, 07:50
JPO is not the traitor. Dr Gonzi and the rest of his friends are the traitors. They betrayed me and the rest of the Maltese. I gave them my money for which i worked hard and they just squandered it. They made a mess of our environment and some section of our education. Now lets hope that Dr Muscat keeps his promises. Good luck to us Maltese!
David Magro
Mar 10th, 18:50
'It is not the day that a blue flag goes down to be replaced by a red one. It is the day that the white and red national flag stands proud.'
Dr. Muscat.
Eddy Privitera
Mar 10th, 18:25
Dr. Muscat - OUR PRIME MINISTER- first speech was an exemplary speech. He spoke of UNITY just as he did throughout the election campaign. We should all be proud of having such a prime minister who, instead of sowing division, preaches unity !
Denis Pace
Mar 10th, 19:25
Take his example, Eddy.....
Shawn Grixti
Mar 10th, 20:07
You seem to be bitter Denis!
Paul Zammit
Mar 10th, 20:56
@Eddy
lol ... you just never ever make any sense whatsoever ... ehehehe (:
P Mangion
Mar 10th, 18:23
May we all live the peace and tranquillity we have lived in the past 15 years.
Jeffrey Mallia
Mar 10th, 18:43
Tider li ma qlajtx xi xeba transfers int !!! Hemm kienet it tranquillity !!
C Baldacchino
Mar 10th, 18:54
@ Jeffrey Mallia - inti bis-serjeta?? kellu bzonn inkunu komdi bhal ma konna f'dawn l-ahhar snin!! U jekk mhux komdi ezatt kif konna inkunu ahjar, gej b'xeba transfers, din qatt ma smajtha!!
Pace M
Mar 10th, 21:31
Baldacchino you need to speak more with people and not only blue eyed boys! I used to be blue eyed but not anymore..... The result speaks for itself.
Jason Zammit
Mar 10th, 21:47
You are right Mr Baldachino,
I'm a PN supporter and proud of it , nawgura lil JM li at least jaghmel nofs li ghamel Gonzi.....Gonzi ghandu track record on tourism , economy, employment and education...... Malta decided on what Joseph believed not on what he proofed
m borg
Mar 10th, 22:59
Now stay desperate all through and keep on with your fake dreams
Matthias Farrugia
Mar 11th, 00:41
@Mangion and Baldacchino - the sun will still shine tomorrow dont worry..same country same people. unity is what we want..
but please dont preach on transfers.. jekk kint kondu int ma ifissirx li kien kondu kulhadd siehbi.
Gov working some work from 7am till 7.05am... others 7am-4.30pm... if you understand me.. oh and in the same office....
S Sammut
Mar 11th, 07:02
@ jeffrey: u issa li tela il labour tahsb li hadd mhu se jaqla transfer? Ha naraw!
JOHN WHITE
Mar 10th, 18:09
Maybe i do not share his opinions but i do hope that we will keep on the right track like we are today.This is my wish.Since it is too early to trust but hope that JM keeps his promises so we can all take advantage as a whole nation.
marthese cassar
Mar 10th, 22:15
wait and see.
John Mifsud
Mar 10th, 18:07
I am proud & glad that whoever wanted to discredit the PL did not succeed.The people spoke & replied with disgust by voting in their thousands for this enormous mandate to the PL.
I hope that some people will learn their lesson. Many were fed up with arrogance coming from many quarters, even a section of the media.
I believe that young voters in their majority were behind this tremendous victory
G Buhagiar
Mar 10th, 18:01
Proset Dr Muscat, tar-rebha. Politkanti bhalek irridu li jghaqqdu lill-Maltin kollha!!
Paul Zammit
Mar 10th, 17:58
not what i want to hear. Tell me when are you going to reduce fuel and energy prices.... quick!!
Jeffrey Mallia
Mar 10th, 18:41
When you pull your head out of the mud..............AND LISTEN.
Jesmond Degabriele
Mar 10th, 18:53
GHATI NAQRA CANS HABIB,MELA D-DINJA SARET F`DAQQA?.
Paul Zammit
Mar 10th, 19:10
@Mallia
Listening I am .. paying less; not yet ... I can't wait for the day!
Pace M
Mar 10th, 21:33
That day comes sur zammit but i guess that you will still follow and thank Gonzi after.
twanny borg
Mar 10th, 17:57
Prezentatur tat-tvm qed jiprezenta lil joseph muscat bhala prim ministru meta dan ikun biss wara li jiehu l-gurament ghada mill-president. Ftit sens komun.
Jeffrey Mallia
Mar 10th, 18:40
Il gvern li kellna, tilef il mandatt min Novembru li ghadda............ghaldaqstant, ma kien'x den li issejjah lil Gonzi Prim ministru ghal dawn l'ahhar 3 xhur............Got it Twanny ??
Andrea Giallombardo
Mar 10th, 17:46
Very warming words to hear. I hope this is the beginning of this terrible and immature division of parties in Malta.. We only have one flag and one identity!
Celine Grima
Mar 10th, 18:08
Mr.Giallombardo this is a very sour read i must say I am deeply disappointment by your lack of loyalty towards your island!
Andrea Giallombardo
Mar 10th, 18:55
I realised I made a mistake.. "I hope this is the beginning of the end" *
Paul Borg
Mar 10th, 17:43
Dr. Muscat
I am a floater who gave you a chance to prove yourself.
Do whatever you said so I trust you again...don't and you will be on my black book like Dr. Gonzi!
Congratulations!
Daniel Pisani
Mar 10th, 17:43
yeah right
Kurt Waschnig
Mar 10th, 17:24
Congratulations to the Labour Party and Dr Muscat for an overwhelming victory. I am very glad today and full of joy. Only the LP has the abilities to improve the standard of living and making Malta more secular and liberal. What a pity that DOM MINTOFF Malta´s greatest son passed away. He would enjoy the victory of his party.
Kurt Waschnig
Mar 10th, 17:22
Congratulations to the Labour Party and Dr Muscat for an overwhelming victory. I am very glad today and full of joy. Only the LP has the abilities to improve the standard of living and making Malta more secular and liberal. What a pity that DOM MINTOFF Malta´s greatest son passed away. He would enjoy the victory of his party.
L Zammit
Mar 10th, 20:11
His daughter Yana Mintoff can enjoy in his memory.
A Zammit
Mar 10th, 17:09
Impressive well Done Times of Malta ! Well done!
I live overseas and your media coverage is splendid!
A Big Thanks from Down Under you kept us adjourned along this long election campaign.
Please do work closely with this new PL govt.even though your opinion might be different..!...Malta is yours too! and we are proud of you !..Again Thanks
Kurt Waschnig
Mar 10th, 17:07
What a pity that DOM MINTOFF, Malta´s greatest son cannot celebrate today with the Labour Party. It is a convincing victory of the Labour Party. Dr Muscat is an outstanding and determined politician with a vision for Malta. Only the Labour Party can improve the standard of living in Malta. Congratulation again to the Labour Party. I am very happy today.
Michel Bencini
Mar 10th, 17:02
Mr.Muscat I hope you will govern for ALL as this is the first for a Labour leader in decades. Your notorious predecessors always favoured their own, assaulted and beat up their political foes, burnt their clubs, attacked their houses with their member's wives in them, fired them at will, undermined their reputation, punished their children, denied them jobs and humiliated them publicly.
Ray Abela
Mar 10th, 17:55
Mr Bencini, kindly LIVE for today and the FUTURE! Your contribution verges on being insulting! Don't HOPE but TRUST that our new Prime Minister SHALL govern for ALL of us! MALTA TAGHNA LKOLL.
A Tonna
Mar 10th, 18:00
Sorry Michel. Don't act like a pathetic sore loser. Grow up.
*Joseph Brincat
Mar 10th, 17:01
I AM PROUD TO BE ONE OF THIS NEW MOVEMENT
Paul Zammit
Mar 10th, 18:03
I will be when this guy enacts his promises.
Mel Mus
Mar 10th, 18:28
Sometimes I think that people are possessed!! Have waited 25yrs for promises to become reality, under PN. Now you are already blaming Dr. Muscat of what he should do when he is just 7hrs away from the victory!! Mamma mia
Paul Zammit
Mar 10th, 19:05
I am not blaming anyone ... I am only waiting .. mamma mia...
Karl Consiglio
Mar 10th, 19:05
Many a promise became a reality under PN Mel, you just saw the few things that hadnt yet.
Please choose the reason of your report below: