<p>Malta's opposition Labour party has won a general election for the first time in over 15 years, with leader Joseph Muscat claiming a "landslide victory" today in the eurozone's smallest member.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Early results based on a sample of ballots from yesterday's vote showed Labour ahead with 55 per cent to 43 per cent for the incumbent Nationalist Party led by outgoing Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.<br /><br />The provisional results suggest Labour could clinch one of the most comfortable majorities in the 65-seat parliament since the tiny Mediterranean island became independent in 1964.<br /><br />"I wasn't expecting such a landslide victory for Labour. We must all remain calm, tomorrow is another day," Muscat, a 39-year-old former journalist, said in reaction to the results.<br /><br />Gonzi immediately conceded defeat and vowed to step down from the party leadership as a result of his poor showing.<br /><br />"I personally take full responsibility for this result and I will not seek reelection when the party chooses its new leadership," he said at a press conference.<br /><br />"The Nationalist Party needs to begin a reform process and at the same remain rooted in its values," he said, adding that future prime minister Muscat deserved respect as he prepared to tackle new national challenges.<br /><br />The tiny island state is a rare example of a eurozone state with low unemployment, respectable economic growth and solid public finances.<br /><br />The unemployment rate is 6.0 per cent and, according to the latest estimates, the country clocked 1.5 per cent economic growth last year.<br /><br />Gonzi, who has been at the helm of the Nationalist Party since 2004, had told the electorate throughout the nine-week campaign to judge him on his achievements, although he has admitted to mistakes.<br /><br />Muscat has run a slick US-style campaign calling for change, charging that the outgoing government's economic figures were wrong and accusing his rival of failing to ensure stability by ruling with a one-seat majority.<br /><br />Originally an opponent to Malta joining the European Union, Muscat has since changed his views and is a former member of the European Parliament.<br /><br />Malta has not had a Labour government in 25 years -- apart from a 22-month stint when it ruled between 1996 and 1998.</p>
<p>Malta's opposition Labour party has won a general election for the first time in over 15 years, with leader Joseph Muscat claiming a "landslide victory" today in the eurozone's smallest member.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Early results based on a sample of ballots from yesterday's vote showed Labour ahead with 55 per cent to 43 per cent for the incumbent Nationalist Party led by outgoing Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.<br /><br />The provisional results suggest Labour could clinch one of the most comfortable majorities in the 65-seat parliament since the tiny Mediterranean island became independent in 1964.<br /><br />"I wasn't expecting such a landslide victory for Labour. We must all remain calm, tomorrow is another day," Muscat, a 39-year-old former journalist, said in reaction to the results.<br /><br />Gonzi immediately conceded defeat and vowed to step down from the party leadership as a result of his poor showing.<br /><br />"I personally take full responsibility for this result and I will not seek reelection when the party chooses its new leadership," he said at a press conference.<br /><br />"The Nationalist Party needs to begin a reform process and at the same remain rooted in its values," he said, adding that future prime minister Muscat deserved respect as he prepared to tackle new national challenges.<br /><br />The tiny island state is a rare example of a eurozone state with low unemployment, respectable economic growth and solid public finances.<br /><br />The unemployment rate is 6.0 per cent and, according to the latest estimates, the country clocked 1.5 per cent economic growth last year.<br /><br />Gonzi, who has been at the helm of the Nationalist Party since 2004, had told the electorate throughout the nine-week campaign to judge him on his achievements, although he has admitted to mistakes.<br /><br />Muscat has run a slick US-style campaign calling for change, charging that the outgoing government's economic figures were wrong and accusing his rival of failing to ensure stability by ruling with a one-seat majority.<br /><br />Originally an opponent to Malta joining the European Union, Muscat has since changed his views and is a former member of the European Parliament.<br /><br />Malta has not had a Labour government in 25 years -- apart from a 22-month stint when it ruled between 1996 and 1998.</p>