Malta [European Journal of Political Research 48]

Abstract

The year 2008 in politics was defined by the general election of 8 March, which was again won by the Nationalist Party (PN).The election confirmed and even emphasised well-established patterns of behaviour. High voter turnout, two- party only representation and a slim margin between the two parties persisted – essentially the standard outcome since 1966. Still, the election was not without surprises.The margin between the two parties was an unprecedentedly slim 0.5 per cent. This was also the first time in the history of Maltese parliamentary government that a party won three elections in a row with a majority of seats and of votes,1 all the more significant since it means PN rule has only been interrupted for two years in over two decades – a quarter of a century by the time the next election is due.