Editing Joseph Muscat (section)

==== General election 2017 ====
The Labour Party ran a campaign focused on the administration's successes and achievements over the previous four years.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170601/local/parties-hold-final-mass-meetings.649669|title=Parties hold final mass meetings|last=Sansone|first=Kurt|date=1 June 2017|work=Times of Malta|access-date=13 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905050726/https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170601/local/parties-hold-final-mass-meetings.649669|archive-date=5 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Muscat stressed the record economic growth and employment levels, and the turnaround in the country's finances from deficit to surplus.<ref name=":11">{{cite news|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/election-2017/76769/live_muscat_launches_labour_party_election_campaign_the_best_time_for_our_country#.WWdzI4R94kI|title=Muscat launches Labour election campaign: 'Our country's best days'|last=Dalli|first=Miriam|date=2 May 2017|work=MaltaToday|access-date=13 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712053945/http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/election-2017/76769/live_muscat_launches_labour_party_election_campaign_the_best_time_for_our_country#.WWdzI4R94kI|archive-date=12 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The Labour campaign highlighted the fulfilled pledges, dealing with tax reductions, social benefits and childcare, as well as higher student stipends.<ref name=":11" /> Labour's fight on poverty and increase in pensions also featured prominently.<ref name=":11" /> Muscat's pledges for the next five years were aimed at the better distribution of the country's wealth, giving workers back [[Public holidays in Malta|public holidays]] that fall during a weekend, an ambitious seven-year plan to resurface all of Malta's roads and a tax bonus for every worker earning up to €60,000.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170502/local/muscat-promises-tax-cuts-for-all-better-pensions-resurfacing-of-all.646847|title=Muscat promises tax cuts for all, better pensions, resurfacing of all roads|date=2 May 2017|work=Times of Malta|access-date=13 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905005759/https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170502/local/muscat-promises-tax-cuts-for-all-better-pensions-resurfacing-of-all.646847|archive-date=5 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170519/local/labour-unveils-election-manifesto.648426|title=Labour manifesto is plan for quality leap forward, Muscat says|last=Sansone|first=Kurt|date=17 May 2017|work=Times of Malta|access-date=13 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905004213/https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170519/local/labour-unveils-election-manifesto.648426|archive-date=5 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170508/local/labour-makes-promises-in-transport-education-health-environment-and.647398|title=Labour makes promises in transport, education, health, environment, business sectors|date=8 May 2017|work=Times of Malta|access-date=13 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904093341/https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170508/local/labour-makes-promises-in-transport-education-health-environment-and.647398|archive-date=4 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2017-05-30/local-news/The-Labour-Party-s-five-most-ambitious-electoral-proposals-6736174834|title=The Labour Party's five most ambitious electoral proposals|date=30 May 2017|work=The Malta Independent|access-date=13 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170530112727/http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2017-05-30/local-news/The-Labour-Party-s-five-most-ambitious-electoral-proposals-6736174834|archive-date=30 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Under the slogan The best time for our country (L-aqwa zmien ghal pajjizna), the [[Malta Labour Party|Labour Party]], with Muscat at its helm, won the [[2017 Maltese general election|2017 General Election]]. The Labour Party won a second term in government for the first time since [[1976 Maltese general election|1976]], receiving 55%.<ref>{{Cite web
|date        = 16 May 2017
|title       = Elections 2017: A district by district analysis
|url         = https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/election-2017/77215/elections_2017_district_by_district_analysis
|website     = maltatoday.com.mt
|location    = Malta
|publisher   = Open Publishing 
|access-date = 20 January 2025}}</ref>

Dr Muscat received 14,674 first count votes on the 2nd district and 12,886 first count votes on the 5th District.<ref>{{Cite web
|date        = 5 June 2017
|title       = Joseph Muscat receives a total of 27,560 first count votes; Simon Busuttil gets 20,655 votes
|url         = https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2017-06-05/local-news/Prime-Minister-Joseph-Muscat-receives-14-674-first-count-votes-on-2nd-district-6736175077
|website     = independent.com.mt
|location    = Malta
|publisher   = Open Publishing 
|access-date = 20 January 2025}}</ref>