Labour secures record fourth electoral victory; Gap between two parties: 21,721

Updated 8.30pm

The Labour Party has won the 2026 general election, securing an unprecedented fourth consecutive term in government.

Prime Minister Robert Abela will return to power after Labour secured 51.8% of the vote, compared to 44.7% for the Nationalist Party.

Labour's majority over the PN stood at 21,721 votes, down from the 39,474-vote margin it achieved in 2022. The party's parliamentary majority is also set to shrink from nine seats to five.

Smaller parties are projected to secure around 10,800 first-count votes.

Labour supporters celebrating in Ħamrun. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

The indications of a Labour victory were evident from initial projections when counting started around 9.15am, until PN general secretary Charles Bonello conceded defeat at around 11.15am.

In his first reaction, Abela pledged he would serve as a prime minister for all: "We've made history. This is a victory for all of Malta. Let's keep the positive national spirit."

Speaking to thousands of supporters who gathered outside the Labour headquarters in Ħamrun, Abela said: "The ‘Int Malta’ manifesto was the product of months of work with you. Now that you’ve given us such a strong mandate, it’s time to implement it together.”

Addressing journalists at the Naxxar counting hall, PN leader Alex Borg said his party had gained votes in every single district. He said that could be one reason why Abela called an election almost a year in advance. 

"There's hope, there's light at the end of the tunnel," the PN leader said.

Labour supporters celebrate the fourth victory. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Though Labour scored another resounding victory, its share of votes went down by more than 5,000 votes since 2022. Meanwhile, the PN gained a total of 12,644 votes. 

Within minutes of the announcement, thousands of PL supporters took to the streets to celebrate their victory.

In the 2022 election, Labour won 55.1 per cent of the vote against the PN's 41.7 per cent, securing a majority of 39,474 votes. Smaller parties collectively obtained 3.2 per cent.

An estimated 87.4 per cent of eligible voters cast their ballot on Saturday, marking a rebound from the record-low turnout registered in 2022.

With the winner established, the attention turned to which candidates would be forming part of the next parliament. 

Jubilant Labour supporters at the counting hall. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Labour centred its campaign on its economic record and message of continuity, while the Nationalist Party sought to convince voters that it offered a fresh, young alternative under the leadership of Alex Borg.

No other political party in Malta has managed to win four consecutive terms.

An official result will only be known later on Sunday. 

Abela, 48, a lawyer, will be sworn into power on Monday and will then form his new government for a five-year mandate. He had succeeded Joseph Muscat in January 2020.

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Dozens of counting agents are involved in the process.