The 1992 Maltese election

Abstract

The Maltese have once again returned to power the conservative Nationalist Party (PN) in early general elections held on 22 February, 1992. With a five per cent advantage over the opposition Malta Labour Party (MLP), the success of the PN exceeded both its own expectations and the MLP's fears. Maltese elections, held under the system of PR(STV), are traditionally characterised by three features, namely, a high turnout, a two-party contest and a close result. At 96.1 per cent, the turnout matched that of 1987. It was expected that there would be a drop this time, partly owing to the relatively calm atmosphere of the unusually short election campaign. Whereas in the past Malta experienced feverish campaigns lasting several months, this time the Prime Minister allowed barely five weeks when he dissolved parliament on 20 January and announced an early election. The relative calm of the campaign meanwhile was something which both main parties sought to cultivate and gain political advantage. The ruling PN made an issue out of it, claiming this to be the result of a change of course from the confrontational politics of previous Labour administrations. The opposition MLP, which aimed to present itself to the electorate as a reformed and updated party, wanted to demonstrate that it could control the unruly elements within its ranks that tarnished its image in the past. With one party claiming credit for calm and the other anxious not to be provoked, it was thought that abstentions would be higher than usual. Since many believe that those who vote Labour are Labourites and those who vote Nationalist are the rest, it was assumed that abstentions would benefit the MLP.