Malta's prime minister promises humility as Labour claims election victory

 The ruling Labour party in Malta claimed victory in Sunday's national elections. Prime Minister Robert Abela, however, promised humility and a greener Malta when he celebrated his third consecutive win.

Although official results are yet to be announced, the Labour Party stated that it expects its victory to surpass the 55% majority it won in 2013-2017. The Nationalist Party, an opposition centre-right party, conceded defeat.

This will be Abela's first electoral mandate. He was elected Labour leader and prime Minister in January 2020.

Abela addressed thousands of flag-waving supporters while addressing them from a balcony at Labour Headquarters just outside Valletta. He repeatedly stressed that humility would be his hallmark.

Abela, the son of former President George Abela in Maltese, stated that humility will be the hallmark of this government.

He stated that his government would strive for national unity and insisted that everyone had something to contribute to the country.

He was accompanied by his 10-year-old daughter and wife, who said that he wanted better living conditions, better opportunities for all and a more friendly environment in Malta.

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The outgoing government was seen as weakest in environmental issues as Malta, Europe’s most populous island, experienced a building boom which encroached upon open spaces.

A strong economy brought thousands of workers to the island, which led to the building boom.

Abela was responsible for keeping the economy afloat during the COVID-19 crisis. He also maintained public support by providing generous assistance to businesses as well as consumer vouchers to all residents.

He maintained a record-breaking unemployment rate, frozen energy costs despite rising prices overseas, and increased pensions multiple times. His Labour government has not raised taxes and claims it won't.

Abela has also introduced a number of rule-of law reforms over the past year to counter government corruption claims and greylisting Malta by the FATF (global watchdog on money laundering).

Abela was not affected by the repeated corruption allegations made against him by Bernard Grech's Nationalist Party. Grech is, like Abela a lawyer.

Joseph Muscat, Abela's predecessor, resigned following the arrest of Yorgen Feech, a businessman who was accused of complicity with the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, an anti-corruption blogger.

Fenech was a close friend Keith Schembri, Muscat's chief-of-staff. Muscat and Schembri both denied that they had any prior knowledge of the murder.

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