Just 15 minutes after unofficial results showed that Labour had won the election by a landslide, outgoing Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi sent an e-mail through the mychoice.pn website thanking the electorate for their participation.

“The Maltese people have decided that we are to serve from the Opposition.  I accept this decision. This is the democracy we firmly believe in. And in democracy, it’s always the people who win.”

He also congratulated Labour and Joseph Muscat, saying the new Prime Minister carries a heavy burden.

He thanked those who had contributed to the Government and the Nationalist Party in the last five years with their ideas, efforts and hard work.

“I have seen many generous and genuine people who have worked very hard and our defeat is certainly
not their fault,” he said, adding this moment was an opportunity for renewal of the party.

He ended his message by thanking the Maltese for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading
the Government for the last nine years.