Both political party leaders on Sunday told their supporters that they felt they had registered a successful result.

PL leader Joseph Muscat told the party faithful that the government was humbled by the result, which now made it seven election wins on the trot since he had become party leader. PN leader Simon Busuttil, on the other hand, said that while the PN did not get a majority, it had halved the gap that it was trailing the PL.

In truth, both the major parties have reason to be encouraged. The PL is still enjoying majority support and it is a known fact that the opposition normally fares better than the governing party in local elections. But it is also clear that there has been some ebb of the support that the PL enjoys.

The PN also has reason to be encouraged. It has recouped some support and has begun to chip away at the PL's lead. But to compare local elections with the next general election, in terms of saying that this is now 'doable,' is a bit farfetched.

Local council elections can never be compared to general elections in terms of gauging what the outcome might be. There is no doubt that the PN is rejuvenated and has begun to allow its supporters to believe again. But it is still well short of being a potential government party. The PN leadership believes that the party is ready to transform from being an opposition party into a party that can be an alternative government.

Rome was not built in a day, and the PN will not be rebuilt within five years either. For a while, it looked like Simon Busuttil was swimming against a very strong current in very deep waters. But it seems that the internecine battling factions have quietened down and accepted his leadership. He will need to continue to build on the elements of success of the local council election results, but he must resist the temptation to build up expectations too high. We say again, the results from last weekend are not a true reflection of what would happen in a general election. Turnout is one glaring factor that will make any form of comparisons superfluous.

The PM, meanwhile, has reaffirmed that he still enjoys the support of the absolute majority of voters. But he must also realise that there has been some slippage. One of the reasons for this has emerged time and time again; the electorate feels that the pledge of meritocracy and Malta tagħna lkoll was blatant electioneering with jobs for the boys and ice buns galore for the switchers.

Nonetheless, he has pledged humility and said that he will continue to tinker with his movement to make sure that as many people as possible find it to be their natural 'home'. The PM has also said that the government feels reinvigorated by the result, but two members of his party have publicly warned against complacency and to stop underestimating Simon Busuttil and ridiculing him. They are wise words indeed. Will those words turn out to be prophetic? We will have to wait and see. But thankfully, Malta can now have a rest from electioneering and have some peace and quiet until the next general election in 2018.