Robert Abela sworn in as prime minister for the third time

Updated 2pm

Robert Abela has been sworn in as prime minister for the third time in a ceremony at the Grand Master's Palace in Valletta.

The re-elected Labour leader was administered the oath of office and oath of allegiance on Monday by President Myriam Spiteri Debono. He was accompanied by his wife, Lydia, and daughter Giorgia Mae.

Shortly afterwards, they appeared on the balcony to wave to the crowds, who cheered, applauded, and chanted 'Viva l-Labour'.

They then walked through the streets towards Castille, the office of the prime minister, stopping to embrace supporters and take selfies with them.

Abela succeeded Joseph Muscat in 2020 to become Malta's 14th prime minister. His government was re-elected in 2022 and again this weekend, with a majority of 21,721.

He was the first Labour prime minister to be sworn in for a third time since Dom Mintoff in 1981. 

Robert Abela kisses the cross as part of the swearing-in ceremony at the Grand Master's Palace.

Abela arrived in Valletta at around 11am in a Range Rover that drove down Republic Street, escorted by police motorcycles.

He emerged from the front seat and stopped to take selfies and hug and kiss wellwishers, many of whom wore red and had gathered in the streets to greet Abela. 

Robert Abela, his wife, Lydia, and their daughter Giorgia Mae wave to well-wishers in Valletta. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

He then entered the Palace, where the ceremony took place before the chief justice, the state advocate and the head of the civil service. Also present were his father, President Emeritus George Abela and his mother, Margaret.

Earlier, a parade of Labour MPs greeted the crowds, hugging well-wishers and signing flags.

They included Ian Borg, Chris Bonett, Silvio Schembri and Julia Farrugia, who have formally stepped down as ministers.

Abela's first major decision, once he is sworn in, will be to choose his cabinet. 

President Myriam Spiteri Debono, the prime minister and his family wave from the palace balcony.

Ian Borg and his wife Rachelle Dingli greet the crowds. Photo: Jonathan Borg

Miriam Dalli, right, who was elected on two districts, waves to the crowds. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

"We're back!"

After the brief ceremony, the prime minister walked slowly to Castille, stopping many times to greet well-wishers. He arrived at 1.06pm and stood with his wife and daughter at the top of the steps of the historic building as the National Anthem was played from loudspeakers, followed a cacophony of horns from the supporters, and chanting of Viva l-Labour.

"Here we are again," Abela told the head of the civil service, Tony Sultana, who greeted him at the door. "We're back!"

Office staff lined the inner staircase as Dr Abela walked to his office and then waved to the ecstatic crowd from a window overlooking Castille Place as fireworks were let off. 

Labour won an unprecedented fourth consecutive term in government in the general election held on Saturday, securing 51.8% of the vote, compared to 44.7% for the Nationalist Party.

Though Labour secured another resounding victory, its supermajority was cut to 21,721 from the 39,474-vote margin it achieved in 2022.

Crowds waving flags, one referencing the Labour party's historic fourth win. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

But the reduced majority did not seem to dampen the enthusiasm of Labour supporters in Valletta on Monday. 

Many waved party flags, with some also using them as makeshift banners to protect themselves from the sun. 

Among the crowd was 78-year-old Francis Buttigieg, who first went to Valletta to welcome Dom Mintoff as prime minister at the age of 14. He has welcomed all PL prime ministers at the capital since then, he said. 

Pointing fun at the Nationalist party’s electoral slogan Buttigieg said: “I’m an old hand but Labour gives me a fresh start (nifs ġdid)”.

Wearing a hat with Ian Borg printed on the front, Vivienne Penza from Luqa said she was so happy “I can fly”. 

Asked about the PL having had its majority almost halved to 22,000 she said: “the most important thing is that we won….I know they will work hard to bring it back (the PL’s old majority)” she said. 

She also pointed to the fact that the PL was celebrating its fourth consecutive win. 

“The gap has been reduced, we can’t say it hasn’t, but that was expected, what should be surprising is that it wasn't reduced before,” Michael Borg from Mosta said. 

Josephine, from Iklin, said she wanted to share in the joy that the prime minister was feeling “God willing, he will continue working for all the Maltese people,” she said.  

Rose, from Hamrun, was ecstatic. “It’s a historic win…. A fourth consecutive win, that has never happened” she said as she sheltered from the blazing sun. 

“I’m feeling very happy and always I say Viva Il-Labour”.