Labour election expert Michael Falzon – who is also a Parliamentary Secretary - said that the PL is projecting a 54 to 55 per cent win which was to be expected due to the government’s performance in the last two years.
Interviewed by The Malta Independent at the counting hall, Mr Falzon said that what is a fact is that for the first time we have a government who won the local council elections and did so in a convincing manner.
“It is encouraging to note that the people are appreciating the government’s efforts but we have to continue working hard,” he said.
As for the PN’s poor showing in Gozo, he said that this may be related to various factors but said that the referendum may have had an influence on the Gozitan electorate. However, he continued, the PL’s trend of gaining support in Gozo did not start today but two years ago in the general election so the trend is still there.
This government has embarked on a number of projects in Gozo as well, such as the Barts Campus, Mr Falzon said.
Asked if some may have taken the opportunity to engage in a protest vote, he said there could be an element of that but the message would have been intended for all parties.
This win for Labour is a message of trust but this does not mean that we should stop working, he highlighted.