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James Debono
The Malta Labour Party has registered a 52.2 per cent absolute majority in all 68 localities in Malta and Gozo, minus Zejtun and Marsa, in local election results for 66 localities between 2004 and 2006.
The MLP’s majority at local level would have been even greater had the PN not decided to withdraw from the Marsa and Zejtun elections in 2005.
This means the MLP has gained three per cent in support, while the PN has lost 2.2 per cent when comparing the last two rounds of local elections.
Compared with previous rounds, turnout has fallen from an average of 77 per cent to an average of 72 per cent – a drop of nearly five per cent.
All Maltese localities are divided into three groups, each holding staggered elections every third year. When all three groups have finished their electoral cycle, a “round” is completed. 2006 saw the end of the fifth round of elections.
The MLP is the first party to score an absolute majority in a round of local elections since the setting up of local councils in 1994, showing a five per cent increase in its support since 2003.
But the MLP’s success at local level has not always reflected its support at a national level. Despite its relative majority of 49.3 per cent in the 2001-2003 round, the MLP ended up losing the 2003 national elections where support fell from 49.3 per cent to 47.5 per cent.
Its upward trend since the 2003 loss has seen Labour win a relative majority of 48.4 per cent in the European Parliament elections, and an absolute majority of 52.4 per cent in the 2004-2006 round of local elections.
On the other hand, the PN’s electoral fortunes took a downward trend after its 2003 victory, losing all electoral appointments since then.
Overall, Alternattiva Demokratika’s support in all 66 localities decreased by 0.5 per cent but its support in the localities contested is unchanged. AD’s support in the 2001-2003 cycle amounted to 5.6 per cent of the total votes cast in the 12 localities it has contested. On the other hand, in the 2004-2006 cycle the Greens scored 5.7 per cent in the fourteen localities contested.
Both rounds of elections coincided with Nationalist administrations, one led by Eddie Fenech Adami and the other led by Lawrence Gonzi. But while the former administration was riding high on support for European Union membership, the same cannot be said of the post-2003 administration, so far lacking a rallying cry to galvanise its support.
jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt
Links: www.maltadata.com
www.doi.gov.mt/EN/elections/default.asp
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