MALTA: parliamentary elections Il-Kamra Tad-Deputati, 1998

MALTA
Parliamentary Chamber: Il-Kamra Tad-Deputati

ELECTIONS HELD IN 1998

<<< Return to the Historical Archive page of parliamentary election results for MALTA <<<

Chamber:

Il-Kamra Tad-Deputati

Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):

5 September 1998

Purpose of elections:

Elections were held for all the members of the House of Representatives following the premature dissolution of this body on 4 August 1998. General elections had previously been held in October 1996.

Background and outcome of elections:

On 4 August 1998, the House of Representatives was dissolved and general elections were scheduled for the following month. The premature poll - coming less than two years after that of October 1996 - was called by Prime Minister Alfred Sant (Malta Labour Party - MLP) after his party had lost its parliamentary majority of one seat. This was caused by the breaking of ranks by former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff in protest against certain policies of the Labour Government, including the imposition of economic austerity measures by the Government in November 1997.
During the one-month campaign, debate centered on Malta’s membership in the European Union (EU) and economic issues. Mr. Sant continued to oppose affiliation to the EU, advocating instead a free trade zone with it. His main rival - Mr. Edward Fenech Adami of the Nationalist Party (PN), Premier from 1987 to 1996 - supported the EU link and advocated the re-introduction of a value-added tax (VAT), which was considered as a more efficient indirect taxation system and which he felt would reduce business costs and thereby encourage investment. Some 200 candidates vied for the 65 House seats.
Polling day witnessed a high voter turnout and the centre-right PN regained the majority it had lost to the social-democratic MLP in 1996. In this context, Mr. Sant resigned after conceding defeat on 6 September. Mr. Fenech Adami was promptly sworn in as Prime Minister and formed his Cabinet the next day. Mr. Adami stated that the top priority of his new Nationalist government would be to give Malta a sense of direction, and to reactivate its efforts to join the European Union.

STATISTICS

Round no 1 (5 September 1998): Elections results

Number of registered electors 281,078

Voters 268,150 (95.4%)

Blank or invalid ballot papers 3,658

Valid votes 264,492

Round no 1: Distribution of votes

Political Group Votes %

Nationalist Party (PN) 137,037 51.8

Malta Labour Party (MLP) 124,220 47

Democratic Alternative (DA) 3,208 1.2

Others 27 0.1

Round no 1: Distribution of seats

Political Group Total

Nationalist Party (PN) 35

Malta Labour Party (MLP) 30

Democratic Alternative (DA) 0

Others 0

Distribution of seats according to sex:

Men: 59

Women: 6

Distribution of seats according to age:

21-30 years 4

31-40 years 18

41-50 years 33

51-60 years 6

61-70 years 4

Distribution of seats according to profession:

Lawyers 19

Doctors 11

Architects 7

Company directors 4

Teachers 4

Notaries 3

Businessmen 2

Bank managers 2

Civil servants 2

No other profession 2

Others 9

<<< Return to the Historical Archive page of parliamentary election results for MALTA <<<

Chamber:
	Il-Kamra Tad-Deputati
Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):
	5 September 1998
Purpose of elections:
	Elections were held for all the members of the House of Representatives following the premature dissolution of this body on 4 August 1998. General elections had previously been held in October 1996.
Background and outcome of elections:
	On 4 August 1998, the House of Representatives was dissolved and general elections were scheduled for the following month. The premature poll - coming less than two years after that of October 1996 - was called by Prime Minister Alfred Sant (Malta Labour Party - MLP) after his party had lost its parliamentary majority of one seat. This was caused by the breaking of ranks by former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff in protest against certain policies of the Labour Government, including the imposition of economic austerity measures by the Government in November 1997. During the one-month campaign, debate centered on Malta’s membership in the European Union (EU) and economic issues. Mr. Sant continued to oppose affiliation to the EU, advocating instead a free trade zone with it. His main rival - Mr. Edward Fenech Adami of the Nationalist Party (PN), Premier from 1987 to 1996 - supported the EU link and advocated the re-introduction of a value-added tax (VAT), which was considered as a more efficient indirect taxation system and which he felt would reduce business costs and thereby encourage investment. Some 200 candidates vied for the 65 House seats. Polling day witnessed a high voter turnout and the centre-right PN regained the majority it had lost to the social-democratic MLP in 1996. In this context, Mr. Sant resigned after conceding defeat on 6 September. Mr. Fenech Adami was promptly sworn in as Prime Minister and formed his Cabinet the next day. Mr. Adami stated that the top priority of his new Nationalist government would be to give Malta a sense of direction, and to reactivate its efforts to join the European Union.

Round no 1 (5 September 1998): Elections results
Number of registered electors	281,078
Voters	268,150 (95.4%)
Blank or invalid ballot papers	3,658
Valid votes	264,492

Round no 1: Distribution of votes
Political Group	Votes	%
Nationalist Party (PN)	137,037	51.8
Malta Labour Party (MLP)	124,220	47
Democratic Alternative (DA)	3,208	1.2
Others	27	0.1

Round no 1: Distribution of seats
Political Group	Total
Nationalist Party (PN)	35
Malta Labour Party (MLP)	30
Democratic Alternative (DA)	0
Others	0

Distribution of seats according to age:
21-30 years	4
31-40 years	18
41-50 years	33
51-60 years	6
61-70 years	4
Distribution of seats according to profession:
Lawyers	19
Doctors	11
Architects	7
Company directors	4
Teachers	4
Notaries	3
Businessmen	2
Bank managers	2
Civil servants	2
No other profession	2
Others	9