The 1996 Maltese election : swing of the pendulum

Abstract

The Maltese electorate voted the Malta Labour Party (MLP) into office in the general election held on 26 October 1996, following nine and a half years of Nationalist Party rule. The result, which gave Labour an absolute majority of 51 per cent of the vote and a three per cent lead on the Nationalist Party, represents an outstanding reversal of party fortunes. Although the margin is small, the swing is substantial considering that in elections last held in 1992, the Nationalist Party (PN) had obtained a five per cent advantage over Labour - a landslide victory by Maltese standards. The swing was a stunning surprise to both sides.