Prime Minister Robert Abela closed Labour's electoral campaign with an appeal to voters at the Floriana Granaries on Thursday night, promising supporters they would continue finding in him "a captain as strong as steel" if entrusted with another mandate in Saturday's election.

As thousands of Labour supporters packed the Floriana Granaries for the party's final mass meeting before Friday's day of reflection and Saturday's vote, Abela said that he is determined to continue leading the country with "even more energy, determination and motivation than on the first day."

Supporters waved flags and chanted "Viva l-Labour" as the electoral campaign entered its final hours.

Opening the speech on a personal note, Abela thanked his wife Lydia and daughter Giorgia for standing by him throughout his political journey, saying he would never have reached that stage without their support and describing them as the inspiration behind his work as Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister went on to describe the five-week campaign as "beautiful" and "positive," saying he had taken great satisfaction from travelling around Malta and Gozo and meeting people every day in different localities, listening to their thoughts, concerns and suggestions, and hearing how the PL's proposals had from the very beginning focused on improving people's quality of life.

Abela recounted encounters with members of the public throughout the campaign, including a mother who thanked him because government support had helped pay for therapy for her children.

"With your trust we showed how we will remain with you every step of the way, more than ever before, because today Malta can afford it thanks to a strong economy," he said, adding Labour offered "a guarantee of clear direction built on the strongest economy in Europe."

Abela said that Malta's economic strength had been achieved because the government pursued policies based on stability and support for families and businesses, saying this allowed people to live with greater peace of mind and security.

"Many times there were those who planted doubts about this direction and claimed we would never achieve the successes our country achieved, but we succeeded because we remained united," he said.

"Unfortunately, there were those who tried to hinder us and work against Malta, but you trusted us and believed in this movement, and time and results proved you right. Malta won. With you behind us, we will never lose heart," Abela said.

Abela told supporters that he would continue fighting for them even "from through walls," so long as he saw people continuing to move forward happily.

He described the country as the embodiment of what makes people Maltese and Gozitan, including family, language, dialect, culture, traditions and heritage.

"Malta is all of you, Malta is our history, the priceless heritage left to us by those who came before us, is what made us who we are and what made us Maltese and Gozitan. Be proud of the unique beauty of this country. Let us continue working to make it more beautiful," Abela said.

He addressed pensioners directly, recalling encounters with elderly people during visits to Birgu who asked him how much pensions would increase in the next Budget, while saying that  many elderly people had told him they were now living better lives, helping their children and grandchildren financially and even travelling abroad every year.

"That is your right - the best and the finest," he said, adding that when he looked at elderly people he saw his own grandparents, whom he described as people who sacrificed everything so future generations could live better lives.

Turning to youths, Abela said he genuinely believed in young people not only as the future of the country but also as its present, describing them as a source of "energy, motivation, determination and crystal-clear vision," while arguing that Labour remained "the movement of change."

He encouraged young people to seize opportunities and promised they would continue finding support from Labour "at every stage of life."

"Come and let us shape together the future of Manoel Island, which now belongs to all of you. Come and let us shape the future of White Rocks, which now belongs to all of you too," Abela said.

Abela also referred to IVF reforms introduced under a Labour government, saying the country would continue supporting couples facing difficulties becoming parents, while recounting an emotional moment from a campaign activity in Gozo where a mother carrying a baby approached him and told him: "Prime Minister, hold her - this is because of you."

"The emotion I felt was immense," he said.

Reflecting on his six years as Prime Minister, Abela acknowledged there had been moments when different decisions could perhaps have been taken, saying there were occasions when even supporters themselves had doubts, particularly during difficult periods such as the pandemic and other crises.

"There were times when even you had doubts, and there were moments when I could have decided better, and I realised it, but you know one thing: our heart always beat in the right place," he said.

"Where we failed you, I as leader take responsibility, and I apologise to you," Abela said.

He described his leadership as marked by continuous storms and crises, saying he had barely "put on the shoes of office" before facing challenges far greater than he had ever imagined, while adding that uncertainty and turmoil had become the new international reality.

Still, Abela said he had chosen to shoulder the burden himself rather than transfer it onto the public, saying he entered politics to carry the weight of leadership on his own shoulders while ensuring families continued moving forward.

"I gave all my strength, energy and effort for you, every single part of it, so that you could continue moving forward," he said.

Abela said Saturday's election is a direct choice between "the Labour team and someone else's team."

He urged undecided voters and those who had still not collected their voting document to do so before midnight, encouraging them to speak to Labour representatives before making their decision calmly at home.

"Do not let others take the decision for you," he told supporters.

The Prime Minister ended the speech with a direct appeal for another mandate, promising supporters that if they chose Labour once again, they would continue finding in him strong leadership and renewed determination.

"If you decide we continue moving forward together, you will find a captain as strong as steel, with even more energy, determination and motivation than on the first day," Abela said, as supporters cheered.

"You will find a competent team full of energy and ability behind me, a team that always brought honour to our country and that will continue working for Malta so we can continue implementing our plan," Abela said.

Abela concluded by asking voters to lend him their trust once again, and allow Labour to continue building on the country's successes.

"Give me once again the privilege of being your Prime Minister, so that together we continue building on all the good we already have, so we can help you even more and carry out projects for a stronger Malta. Your dream is our project," Abela said.

Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Ian Borg, and the Prime Minister's wife, Lydia Abela, also addressed the final event.