WATCH | Robert Abela sworn in as prime minister after Labour’s record electoral victory

Robert Abela has been sworn in for his third tenure as Malta's prime minister after winning the 2026 general election with a majority of over 21,000 votes.

The ceremony was held at the Grand Master's Palace in Valletta, where he was administered the oath of office by President Myriam Spiteri Debono.

A sea of red gathered outside the palace, as hundreds filled Republic Street with party flags, flares, and energetic chants. A number of elected MPs, Labour officials and MEPs also attended, greeting supporters as they headed inside.

Prime Minister Robert Abela was greeted by chants of his name upon arrival. He was accompanied by his wife, Lydia Abela, and their daughter Georgia May, as the three moved through the crowd, shaking hands with supporters and thanking them for their trust.

On Sunday, the Labour Party secured its fourth consecutive electoral victory and a first for any party in Maltese history, extending its uninterrupted run in government since 2013. Abela was first elected Labour leader in 2020 after the former leader and prime minister Joseph Muscat resigned amid a flurry of corruption scandals.

Official results showed Labour winning 51.8% of the vote against the Nationalist Party’s 44.7%, reducing the PL’s majority compared to the 2022 election but still delivering a comfortable parliamentary majority.

“We made history together today,” Abela said on Sunday. “Let’s roll up our sleeves. We are going to work even harder for you.”

Abela described the outcome as “a strong mandate” from voters and pledged to govern in the interest of all Maltese and Gozitans. Celebrations erupted among Labour supporters, with crowds gathering outside the party's Hamrun headquarters and participating in traditional victory car parades across the country.

The election was called a year ahead of schedule after Abela sought a fresh mandate amid what he described as an uncertain international environment. Labour campaigned heavily on Malta's economic performance, pointing to strong growth, low unemployment and stable energy prices.

‘I want to die under Labour’: supporters react to Abela’s re-election

Party supporters were excited about the historic fourth win, with a number insisting with MaltaToday they are not worried about the Nationalist Party under Alex Borg’s leadership. “I want to die under Labour,” one woman remarked.

The woman explained that upon hearing Abela’s proposals, she felt certain that he would be able to fulfil them, adding that “What he promises, he does.”

“If I was Alex Borg, I would move along and make room for someone else,” said a supporter who was asked if the PN leader could be considered a threat to Abela in the future. “I don’t think Borg is a threat, he was supposed to win this election,” another man said.

Another man expressed his pride that the PL was able to secure a fourth win, noting that no party in Maltese history has been able to do so. “People know what they are getting from Labour, they don’t know what would happen with someone else,” the man said. “That’s why we got this fourth win.”