Updated 8.30pm with speech details
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat described the electoral result as a victory for hope and progress, as he called for unity.
Delivering a victory speech on the Floriana Granaries, a week after he led the Labour Party to a second landslide, Dr Muscat said the “historic majority” was not the result of a single party but a message that people were united in their view on a future direction for the country.
"In this movement, people saw hope. They gave us a chance, and they didn’t regret it,” he said.
"The political map of this country today shows that we started something in 2013 that didn’t end in 2017. When progress begins, it forms a wave that sweeps aside anyone who tries to hinder it."
When progress begins, it forms a wave that sweeps aside anyone who tries to hinder it
Dr Muscat said the election result had placed a burden of responsibility on the new government, and promised to keep his feet on the ground and personally ensure that those around him did not grow arrogant.
Referring, as he has done before, to “mistakes” made in the last four years, he said people had weighed the bad against the good and chosen to move forward.
"Our biggest mistake was allowing others to sow doubts in people’s minds," he said.
Photo: Alan Carville"My wife and I were personally attacked, but this country deserves better than politicians’ arguments, extreme accusations and personal attacks. This country deserves tranquillity."
Dr Muscat said the scale of last week’s electoral result had come as no surprise to the Labour Party because it had its finger on the pulse and based its analysis on what people were saying on a day-to-day basis.
"We are not surprised by your choices because we understand you and walk with you every step of the way," he said.
Highlighting the success of Malta's presidency of the EU Council, which ends this month, he said the country had achieved “quiet and significant” results on the European stage, and shown its ability to lead a continent of 500 million.
“Although some did their best to smear our country’s name, they quickly realised Malta doesn’t allow anyone to vilify it. I will be the shield of this country before the European institutions. Regardless of who you voted for, we are all Maltese, and Malta will find Joseph Muscat protecting it.”
The Prime Minister ended his address with a call for unity, encouraging supporters to extend the hand of friendship to family, friends and colleagues on the other side of the political divide.
"This is the project and the dream of ‘Malta for all’ (Malta Tagħna Lkoll), which has now become ‘we are all Maltese’ (Aħna lkoll Maltin). We will work together to ensure that for our children, for our elderly, for our families, business, for everyone who loves this country.”