Malta Labour Party leader Dr. Alfred Sant stated that the Local Council elections result confirms that Maltese and Gozitan citizens are calling for a change in political leadership. Speaking during a press conference on Sunday afternoon, Dr. Sant added that obtaining 54% of the vote in Saturday’s elections was a significant occurrence since the MLP had never obtained a relative or absolute majority when contesting local council elections in the given localities.
The MLP who now has the majority of leadership in 15 or the 23 local councils, congratulated the fact that the party increased it’s percentage by 0.7% where votes are concerned, in contrast to the 0.6% the Nationalist Party lost. The MLP leader also explained how the MLP increased its councilors by 12, while the PN’s numer of elected candidates decreased by the same number.
Dr. Sant described the wins in San Gwann, Pieta’ and Msida as “significant”, while adding that despite the governments’ attacks on the Rabat councilors, the MLP councilors still managed to confirm and increase their majority in governing the locality.
Speaking of the result from a holistic perspective, the Oppsoition leader explained how this is the third loss that PN has sustained since Dr. Lawrence Gonzi became head of the party in government. Additionally he pointed out how support for PN appears to be decreasing after obtaining 46%, 44% and 43% in local council elections in the years 2204, 2005 and 2006 respectively. Dr. Sant also declared that MLP has in turn increased it’s percentages of votes from 50.2% in 2004, to 53.4% in 2005 to 54% in 2006.
Dr. Sant said that Saturday’s vote confirms that MLP is garnering support and faith on a more widespread level, this as a result of MLP reaching out to the citizens’ aspirations. The Opposition leader said that this places a greater deal of responsibility in the MLP hands, a responsibility which the party will strive to take fully.
The MLP leader added that currently, integrity of leadership in Malta and Gozo is lacking despite several appeals from external bodies. Dr. Sant said that the MLP wishes to offer the islands a new beginning even from an opposition perspective. The leader announced that during March the MLP will be visiting China and will attempt to explore new channels of cooperation between the two countries. While thanking the citizens for their support, Dr Sant announced that a rally will be held in the National MLP center in Hamrun on Tuesday.
For full details of turnouts and counts of all localities on mobile phones click here.
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