Malta has selected its representatives in the next European Election. Roberta Metsola, David Casa, Peter Agius were elected for the PN, and Alex Agius Saliba, Daniel Attard, and Thomas Bajada for the PL.
Labour wins EP election, loses absolute majority
The Labour Party has won the European Parliament elections, but with their majority reduced to around 8454 votes and one less seat.
Polls had forecasted a much larger Labour victor. In 2019, Labour won the European elections with a substantial majority of 42,600 votes over the PN, and in the 2022 general election, it had 39,400 majority. The European Parliament issued a projection which stated that the PL stood at 44.67%, while the PN stood at 42.52% – a gap of just 2.15 percentage points. With 269,551 votes cast, that would translate to a gap of just 5,800 votes.
Abela describes win as ‘solid’, Grech says PN exceeded its own targets
Labour’s triumph at the European Parliament elections was “a solid victory that acknowledges the government’s work” in the face of unprecedented international and local challenges in recent years, Prime Minister Robert Abela said on Sunday afternoon. But, he admitted, the result also sends “a message” that the government will need to heed. In a visit to the counting hall, Grech said the projected result will act as a platform for the PN to continue implementing its plan ahead of the general election. Grech said the PN had not only hit its targets, but exceeding them. “Now is not the time for parties. Now is the time to roll up our sleeves and keep on working,” Grech said. “People are realising that the government only takes notice of them when an election is around the corner. It is not PR that improves people’s lives, but a genuine love for our country and its people,” Grech added. (Times of Malta)
Metsola, Agius Saliba elected
EP President Roberta Metsola and Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba were the first MEPs to be elected on Sunday after exceeding the quota. PN insiders were quoted to be expecting a record number of votes for Metsola, even reaching 90,000. Agius Saliba is expected to improve on his performance in 2019, when he won 18,808 votes in the first count. Incumbent David Casa was also expected to make the cut, with Peter Agius in pole to secure the third seat should it be won by the Nationalist Party.
