Labour swept to a historic victory at the polls yesterday, while the governing Nationalist Party retreated to its smallest share since 1962.
The PL polled 55.1 per cent of the votes against PN’s 41.1 per cent, according to unofficial projections, indicating a gap of around 37,000 votes – the biggest lead since the elections of 1947 and 1955.
The result is expected to give Labour a parliamentary majority of nine seats.
AD won 1.8 per cent, or 5,750 votes, their best ever result but still not enough to give them a seat.
Minutes after the first batch of 50 votes from each district started being counted at 11am, there was a clear indication Labour would win comfortably, though the margin took many by surprise.
Speaking shortly after the result was announced, Prime Minister-elect Joseph Muscat said he was humbled by it and promised Labour would be an inclusive government.
“We campaigned as a movement, we were elected as a movement, and we have to govern the country as a movement. The mandate is clear, it’s a humbling result but Malta is not for election winners – it is for all,” Dr Muscat said.
PN leader Lawrence Gonzi conceded through a telephone call to Dr Muscat moments before the announcement, in a rare political gesture followed by a press conference in which he announced he would not be putting his name forward in the leadership contest the party is statutorily bound to hold in the coming months.
“I fully understand the message of the electorate and I take full responsibility for the result. This result has its consequences and I will not take part in the process to elect a new PN leader,” he said.
“The PN needs to renew itself without losing its core values.”
Thousands of Labour supporters started celebrating around Mile End in Ħamrun even before an official announcement was made, but they were later encouraged by the party to gather in Floriana, where Dr Muscat gave a brief address.
Among the people to celebrate the Labour victory were former PN MPs Franco Debono and Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando.
At 39, Dr Muscat will be the second youngest Maltese Prime Minister in history but he will be the youngest post-Independence; Sir Ugo Mifsud was 35 when he took office in 1924.
He was elected with more than 26,000 votes over two districts, beating Dom Mintoff’s 1981 record as a percentage of quota.
He is expected to be sworn in as Prime Minister today and to appoint the new Cabinet quickly.
His first week will include the first official engagement abroad on Thursday when he will join European leaders for an EU Summit.