Robert Abela won the Labour Party leadership contest with 57.9% of the vote. Early counts suggest Abela beat his rival Chris Fearne, by more than 2,500 votes.

In his victory speech, Dr Abela, a 42-year-old lawyer, called on his party to “work together for unity”. Seen as a continuity candidate, Dr Abela, the son of Malta’s former President George Abela – will be sworn in on Monday.