Robert Abela has been sworn in as Malta's Prime Minister during a ceremony at the Palace in Valletta.

The ceremony was presided by President Myriam Spiteri Debono and was attended by Chief Justice Mark Chetcuti

Labour supporters gathered in Valletta as from the early morning to earn vantage points and be as close to the action as possible.

Almost all wore red and white, carried Labour and Maltese flags, and went ecstatic as elected candidates arrived for the ceremony. The warmest greeting was reserved for Abela, who arrived accompanied by his wife Lydia and daughter Georgia 

The Labour Party won an unprecedented fourth electoral victory in a row with a 21,000-vote margin, nearly half of the advantage it had gained four years ago.

The official figures show Labour winning 51.8% of the vote compared to the Nationalist Party's 44.6%. While this narrows the gap from the 2022 election, it still gives Labour a solid 36 to 31 seat majority in parliament.

Labour secured 158,444 votes (51.77%), down from 162,707 (55.1%) in 2022, while the PN increased its tally from 123,233 in 2022 to (41.7%) to 136,723 (44.6%)

Abela called the win a strong mandate and promised to serve all citizens of Malta and Gozo. Following the announcement, Labour supporters celebrated with gatherings outside the Hamrun headquarters and car parades across the islands. 

Abela took over the reins of the country in 2020, succeeding Joseph Muscat who had resigned in the wake of developments related to the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder.

Greeting the crowd before the ceremony, Abela told supporters that it was "thanks to them" that Labour obtained electoral victory.

After the swearing-in ceremony, he waved to the crowd from the Palace balcony along with President Spiteri Debono.

He later walked up Republic Street towards his office in Castille. He stopped several times to greet well-wishers, kissing babies and taking selfies, all the way thnking the people for their support. 

After today's celebrations, he is expected to form his Cabinet of Ministers between Tuesday and Wednesday.

Abela arrived to loud cheers of "Viva il-Labour". One woman was overheard saying that she would like her children to have Abela as their father-in-law.

Amont the guests attending the ceremony were the Prime Minister's parents.  President Emeritus George Abela and his wife were greeted with cheers.