The people are fed up of negativity, Labour Party deputy leader Chris Cardona said.

We had a positive campaign and people chose to move forward.

Professor Edward Scicluna said it boiled down to a question of trust. “Both parties had two different, separate stories but at the end people had to decide, and I think they decided about the future of the country itself, rather than on one particular issue. Of course there will be cross currents from last time.

Asked if he thought people believed the government’s economic arguments, rather than the PN’s campaign against corruption, Prof Scicluna said the PN had resorted to negative campaigning.

“From experience you cannot base your entire campaign on negative campaigning. The PN became aware of this at the very, very end. It just did not work.”

Asked if he will be appointed finance minister again, he said one still had to see. “The results are looking positive on both districts but we have to wait for the final result.”

Carmelo Abela said the result was a reflection of the government’s work and results, which had been felt by the families at home. “That was the feeling we get when meeting people – that this government’s policies bettered people’s lives. The second point is that politicians should focus on the positive, not the negative.  The PL knows this from experience. Politicians should be positive and respectful and show that, at the end of the day we are here to make people’s lives better.”