VALLETTA, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Malta's ruling Labour Party approved on Monday the electoral process for the party's new leader, who will replace the outgoing Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

Muscat announced on Sunday his decision to resign after Jan. 12.

According to Malta's electoral system, the prime minister is the leader of the party which wins a general election, which is held every five years. The Labour Party won the election in 2017.

The party said nominations will open between Dec. 9 and Dec. 11.

If there are more than two contenders, a first round of voting will be held on Jan. 7. The last two candidates will enter the final vote on Jan. 11 during the Labour Party's congress, which will be held between Jan. 10 and 12.