While much of Malta was yesterday transfixed by the swearing-in of the first Labour leader in 15 years, the event went largely unnoticed elsewhere.
The websites of most daily European newspapers either ignored the election altogether or used copy provided by Maltese journalists working for news agencies.
The AFP agency reported Joseph Muscat “has run a slick US-style campaign calling for change, charging that the outgoing government’s economic figures were wrong and accusing his rival of failing to ensure stability by ruling with a one-seat majority”.
Nevertheless, Malta was “a rare example of a eurozone state with low unemployment, respectable economic growth and solid public finances”.
The BBC also highlighted Malta’s financial stability, stating that “unlike other eurozone states... the economy did not dominate the campaign”.
But despite sound finances, “Mr Muscat, 39, made change the theme of his campaign,” it reported.
Reuters described Labour’s triumph as “a personal victory for Labour leader Joseph Muscat, who... has modernised his party to appeal to more centrist voters”.
Fox News observed “the shift in power apparently reflects voter desire for change”.
European Voice noted the campaign had been “marked by controversy and mud-slinging” .
The Salzburger Nachrichten mentioned that “thousands of Labour supporters celebrated their historic victory in the streets of Malta on Sunday afternoon”.
Mentions of the election on Italian websites were conspicuous by their absence.
However, an interesting article in Italian publication East Journal noted that political affiliation in Malta was transmitted by genealogy and the new Labour government would not actually change much in Maltese politics.
The result was welcomed by the leader of the Socialist and Democrat group in Brussels, Hannes Swoboda, who said the election was the “latest sign that voters in Europe are fed up with right-wing austerity and want to see real change”.
The group’s president Sergei Stanishev said: “After years of destructive conservative policies, this result is a vote of confidence to the progressive programme of sustainable economy and social progress led by Joseph Muscat.”