The record sums raised by the major political parties on Sunday could point to a renewed enthusiasm after the general election and hints of the start of a revival for the PN under Adrian Delia, according to political commentators.

Between them, the Nationalist and Labour parties raised a staggering €1.23 million in their annual fundraising telethons – with individual records for both parties of €620,497 and €611,319 respectively.

For the PN, the success was particularly striking in the context of the recent heavy electoral defeat and poll figures since then showing some of the lowest ever support levels for both the party and its new leader.

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George Vital Zammit, a lecturer in public policy at the University of Malta, said the hefty sums showed that political parties remained “not only important, but crucial” for the public, especially as the donations came at a time of year when many also donated to charity.

With this the first major collection after a general election, Dr Vital Zammit said, it was understandable that supporters of the winning party would have renewed energy and motivation to donate, with the PL riding the wave of its electoral success.

He added, however, that the outcome for the PN was more surprising given its struggles at the polls.

Noting that the party was going through a “strange time”, with Adrian Delia lacking the consensus most new leaders tended to enjoy, he said the sum raised could suggest a new beginning for PN.

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“They have reported bringing back 6,000 members, which means there is a concerted effort to reach out to people who were disenfranchised or had drifted away,” he said.

Sum raised could suggest a new beginning for PN

“It could be that they are restoring their trust in the party. We also know they are trying to build bridges with the business community – one of their deputy leaders [Robert Arrigo] is now a businessman himself – and this could be a result of that.”

Meanwhile, Nationalist MP Hermann Schiavone said the result pointed to a reinvigoration of the party’s core voters, with whom he said Dr Delia was striking a chord. 

“This is a strong message of support from those voters to the new leader and the politics he is seeking to introduce,” Mr Schiavone said.

“He is speaking their language. The polls right now should be seen as part of a bigger picture: the party is starting to function anew and this is part of that.”