2022 Maltese general election

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2022 Maltese general election

← 2017 26 March 2022 Next →

65+ seats in the House of Representatives
33+ seats needed for a majority
Opinion polls
Turnout85.63%
  First party Second party
  Außenminister Alexander Schallenberg in Malta 14.06.2021 01 (cropped).jpg Bernard Grech-Oct2020 Official (cropped).jpg
Leader Robert Abela Bernard Grech
Party Labour Nationalist
Leader since 12 January 2020 3 October 2020
Leader's seat District 2 District 5
Last election 55.04%, 37 seats 42.12%, 28 seats
Seats won 38 29
Seat change Increase 1 Increase 1
Popular vote 162,707 123,233
Percentage 55.11% 41.74%

Malta general election 2022 - Results by District.svg

Prime Minister before election

Robert Abela
Labour

Elected Prime Minister

Robert Abela
Labour

General elections were held in Malta on 26 March 2022 to elect members of the House of Representatives.

The Labour Party (PL), which has governed Malta since 2013, retained its majority in the House of Representatives in the June 2017 election, and Joseph Muscat remained prime minister. Muscat resigned in January 2020, and was succeeded by Robert Abela, and later that year, Bernard Grech succeeded Adrian Delia as the leader of the Nationalist Party.

In total, six parties had filed candidates in the general election. The campaign period was noted as the quietest election period in decades. It was overshadowed due to external events, and opinion polls indicated another Labour Party victory. The Labour Party retained its majority, while the election's turnout was the lowest since 1955. As a result of a constitutional amendment, Article 52(A), passed before the elections, twelve seats were added to the House of Representatives and were given to women from both parties, so as to limit male dominance.[1]

Background[edit]

Joseph Muscat served as prime minister of Malta from 2013 until his resignation in 2020.

The previous election, which was held in June 2017 saw the Labour Party, which has governed the country since 2013, receive 55% of the popular vote and win 37 out of 67 seats in the House of Representatives.[2] Despite the allegations of corruption towards Joseph Muscat, who had served as prime minister of Malta since 2013, the confidence of the government was renewed in this election.[3][4] Following the election, Simon Busuttil resigned as leader of the Nationalist Party, and was replaced by Adrian Delia.[5][6] Daphne Caruana Galizia, a writer and anti-corruption activist who exposed Labour politicians Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri after being named in the Panama Papers leak, was assassinated in October 2017 in a car bomb attack.[7][8][9] The assassination eventually culminated into a political crisis that reached its peak during 2019.[10] Subsequently, mass protests were organized between November 2019 and January 2020 in Malta and among the Maltese diaspora.[11][12] Muscat announced his resignation in December 2019, and it took effect the following month.[13] He remained in the House as a backbencher, but resigned in October 2020.[14]

Robert Abela won the subsequent Labour Party leadership election, defeating Chris Fearne.[15][16][17] He was sworn in on 13 January 2020.[18] Abela appointed Miriam Dalli and Clyde Caruana to the new cabinet.[19] However, after not being included in Abela's new cabinet, Deputy Labour Party leader Chris Cardona resigned and retired from politics.[20] In October 2020, Delia lost the leadership election to Bernard Grech, who then succeeded him as leader of the parliamentary opposition.[21][22] Education minister Justyne Caruana resigned in December 2021, following claims that she abused her power.[23] Labour MP Silvio Grixti also resigned from the House that month.[24]

Electoral system[edit]

MPs are elected from 13 five-seat constituencies by single transferable vote.[25] Candidates who pass the Hagenbach-Bischoff quota in the first round are elected, and any surplus votes transferred to the remaining candidates, who will be elected if this enables them to pass the quota.[25] The lowest ranked candidates are then eliminated one-by-one with their preferences transferred to other candidates, who are elected as they pass the quotient, until all five seats are filled.[26] If a party wins a majority of first preference votes but fails to achieve a parliamentary majority, they are awarded seats to ensure a one-seat majority, if they are one of only two parties to obtain seats.[26] In 2018, the government of Malta lowered the national voting age to 16.[27] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, arrangements were being made for drive-through voting.[28][29] Despite conducting elections under a proportional ranked preferential system, Malta has a stable two-party system, with only the Nationalist Party and Labour Party having a realistic chance of forming a government.[30][31] No coalition governments have been needed since 1953. Prior to the 2017 elections, when the Democratic Party won two seats running in a joint list with the PN, the last time a party other than the PN or PL won seats was in 1962.[32][33]

After much speculation, Abela announced the election date on 20 February 2022, with the election set for 26 March.[34][35][36][37] Earlier that morning, the House of Representatives was dissolved by president George Vella, upon Abela's recommendation.[38]

Political parties[edit]

The table below lists parties represented in the House of Representatives after the 2017 general election.

Name Ideology Political position Leader 2017 result
Votes (%) Seats
Labour Party Social democracy Centre-left Joseph Muscat 55.04%
37 / 67
PNPD Christian democracy Centre Simon Busuttil 43.68%
30 / 67

Pre-election composition[edit]

During the 2017–2022 convocation, several MPs resigned; Emmanuel Mallia resigned upon his appointment as the Maltese High Commissioner for the United Kingdom.[39] Helena Dalli resigned upon her appointment as European Commissioner.[40] Etienne Grech resigned due to personal reasons.[41] Edward Scicluna resigned and was appointed governor of the Central Bank of Malta upon his resignation. The race to fill his seat was won by Gavin Gulia, who however resigned almost immediately after being sworn in, a move that was not seen as democratic.[42] Gulia's seat was filled by then Disability Commissioner Oliver Scicluna.[43]

Marthese Portelli resigned to take a post within the Malta Developers' Association.[44] David Thake, himself a having taken a vacant seat (that of Busuttil), resigned due a tax scandal.[45][46] Frederick Azzopardi died due to illness in October 2020.[47]

Malta Parliament 2020.svg
Party Seats
Labour Party 36
Nationalist Party 28
Independent 3

Participating parties[edit]

The Labour Party filed 122 nominations, while the Nationalist Party had managed to file 108 nominations. ABBA filed 29 nominations in total, while AD+PD filed 20, and the People's Party filed 15 nominations. Volt Malta only filed four nominations.[48]

Name Founded Leader Main ideology Political position
Labour Party 1920 Robert Abela Social democracy Centre-left
Nationalist Party 1926 Bernard Grech Christian democracy Centre-right
AD+PD 2020 Carmel Cacopardo Green politics Centre-left
People's Party 2020 Paul Salomone Right-wing populism Far-right
Volt Malta 2021 Arnas Lasys
Alexia DeBono
Progressivism Centre
ABBA 2021 Ivan Grech Mintoff Christian right Right-wing

Campaign[edit]

A billboard with an Ukrainian flag during the electoral campaign for the 2022 general election in Malta
A pro-Ukraine billboard in Malta, which was put over a Labour Party banner during the campaign. News regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine overshadowed the news of the electoral campaign in Malta.

The campaign began on 21 February, and it lasted until 24 March, while the silent day occurred on 25 March.[49][50] During the first week of the campaign, Nationalist Party politicians Claudio Grech, Kirsty Debono, and Clyde Puli, decided not to run, including Rachael Scicluna, a Labour politician.[51][52] Journalists have noted that the campaign has been the "quietest ever", due to uninspiring proposals and external events that overshadowed the electoral campaign.[53] It has also been noted that events that caused the 2019 political crisis and 2019–2020 protests, had "exhausted the voters".[54] Moreover, the outcome was seemed to be already given, with polls indicating another Labour Party victory, but also with the Russian invasion of Ukraine overshadowing the electoral campaign events.[55][56][57] Although, the campaign was also termed to be free of major scandals that would influence the outcome of the vote.[58] It was also noted that the Labour Party has spent more money on campaign than the Nationalist Party.[59]

Slogans[edit]

Party Original slogan English translation Refs
Labour Party Malta Flimkien Malta Together [60][61]
Nationalist Party Miegħek għal-Malta With you for Malta [60][62]
AD+PD Xkupa Ħadra Tnaddaf Green Sweeps Clean [63]
People's Party Familja, Nazzjon, Liberta Family, Nation, Liberty [64]
Volt Malta Ivvota aħjar. Ivvota Volt. Vote Better. Vote Volt. [65]

Debates[edit]

2022 Maltese general election debates
Date Time Organizers     P  Present    A  Absent invitee  N  Non-invitee   S  Surrogate  
Labour Nationalist AD+PD Volt People's ABBA Refs
4 March 11:00AM The Malta Chamber P
Robert Abela
P
Bernard Grech
N N N N [66]
10 March 12:00PM MUDU P
Robert Abela
P
Bernard Grech
P
Carmel Cacopardo
N P
Paul Salamone
P
Ivan Grech Mintoff
[67][68]
11 March 17:30PM IRAA P
Evarist Bartolo
P
Carm Mifsud Bonnici
P
Ralph Cassar
P
Arnas Lasys
N N [69]
14 March 11:00AM Chamber of SMEs P
Robert Abela
P
Bernard Grech
N N N N [67]
14 March 11:00AM TVM N N A P
Kass Mallia
P
Paul Salamone
P
Ivan Grech Mintoff
[70]
16 March 11:00AM CCEI P
Robert Abela
P
Bernard Grech
N N N N [67]
23 March 9:00PM TVM P
Robert Abela
P
Bernard Grech
N N N N [71]

Party campaigns[edit]

Labour Party[edit]

"Malta Together", a slogan used by the Labour Party during the campaign

The Labour Party began its campaign in late February, and the party stated its pledge to convert Floriana's St Anne Street into a public garden.[72] In mid-March, the Labour Party released its election manifesto, which had included an investment in green urban areas, an extension to free childcare to all, slashing corporate tax rates.[73][74] Abela has primarily campaigned on environmental issues.[75][76] Former prime minister Joseph Muscat has also participated in Labour Party campaigns.[77][78]

Nationalist Party[edit]

The election program of the Nationalist Party was released on 24 February, which had included 540 proposals in total.[79] The party has also pledged a one billion investment in ten new economic sectors.[80][81] In March, the Nationalist Party has also stated its support for creating free permits, licenses and government services for feast organizers.[82]

AD+PD[edit]

In total, the AD+PD has presented ten candidates for the election, and their campaign was titled "A green broom cleans".[83][84] The party launched its campaign on 22 February, and it has campaigned on proposals regarding LGBT rights.[85][86] The party has also noted its support for energy independence through renewable sources.[87][88]

People's Party[edit]

The People's Party had also been termed as far-right by media reports.[89][90] Church Militant has described the party as "the only authentically conservative party".[91] It has stated its support for increasing the minimum wage and the abolishment of green passes.[86][92] The Party has rallied against illegal immigration.[93]

Volt Malta[edit]

Volt Malta also presented itself for the first time ever, with two candidates covering four districts.[94][95] In early March, the party stated its support for the legalization of abortion.[96] Kass Mallia was Malta's first transgender politician to run for election.[97] Volt Malta presented a proposal for AirMalta to become a public limited company through an initial public offering and look for North American travel markets, as well as a Diaspora Pass to entice the Maltese diaspora to visit Malta.[98]

ABBA[edit]

Ivan Grech Mintoff, who previously served as the chairman of Alliance of Change, formed the religious-right ABBA in 2021.[99][100] In early March, the party presented several candidates that were members of the River of Love religious group.[101] Some candidates were reported to be orientated towards the far-right.[100][102] ABBA supports investigating into pro-choice activists who allegedly broke abortion laws.[103]

Independents[edit]

Arnold Cassola ran as an independent candidate, advocating a cleaner environment, cleaner politics, and a more conscientious society.[104] Perennial candidate Nazzareno Bonnici threw his hat into the ring by mentioning that he will be running for elections on the "Eagle Party" ticket.[105] During the International Women's Day, Bonnici proposed a €4,000 grant for women to get breast implants.[106]

Opinion polls[edit]

Expressing a preference[edit]

Results[edit]

Voting stations were opened from 07:00 to 22:00, and in total, there were 355,075 citizens that had the right to vote in the general election.[107][108] The turnout at 14:00 was reported at 44.8%, which was eight points lower than in 2017.[109] According to the Electoral Commission of Malta, a total of 304,050 citizens voted, which makes it the lowest turnout since the 1955 election.[110][111]

2022 Maltese general election results.svg
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Labour Party162,70755.1138+1
Nationalist Party123,23341.7429+1
AD+PD4,7471.610−2
People's Party1,5330.520New
ABBA1,3640.460New
Volt Malta3820.130New
Independents1,2820.4300
Total295,248100.00670
Valid votes295,24897.11
Invalid/blank votes8,8022.89
Total votes304,050100.00
Registered voters/turnout355,07585.63
Source: Malta Today, Electoral Commission of Malta

Aftermath[edit]

Labour Party officials claimed victory shortly after 09:00, with a margin of more than 30,000 votes.[112][113] Bernard Grech, the leader of the Nationalist Party, conceded defeat.[114] Robert Abela was sworn in on 28 March,[115] and a new government was formed on 30 March 2022.[116] Grech has stated that he will contest the Nationalist Party leadership again.[117] He denounced the incumbent government's tax relief cheques, sent the week before the election, as ploys to influence the election.[117] Grech submitted his nomination on May 13; the leadership election will be held on 27 and 28 May.[118] An opinion poll noted that 70% of councillors believed that Grech should remain as the party leader.[119]

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