ROME

Saturday’s general elections in the island nation of Malta were won by the ruling Labour Party (PL), its third such victory in a row, according to unofficial results.

The party has been in power on the Mediterranean island since 2013.

Maltese media reports said that the number of votes received by the parties is not yet clear, but Labour won by a margin of some 30,000 votes.

Labour leader Robert Abela declared victory to a public broadcaster, saying they won by a strong majority. His statement was enthusiastically received by supporters.

Bernard Grech, leader of the main opposition Nationalist Party, also accepted defeat and gave Abela a congratulatory phone call.

Voter turnout was historically low at 85.5%, down from 92.1% in 2017 and 93.3% in 2013.

Official results are expected on Monday, after which Abela, 44, will be sworn in and form his new government, which is set to serve for five years.

In January 2020, Abela became prime minister following the resignation of Joseph Muscat due to political pressure over the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

*Writing by Merve Berker