'Cancellation of local council elections a blow to democracy' - PN

Chris Said on local councils elections • Video by Ray Attard

Minister Owen Bonnici on local councils elections • Video by Ray Attard

The government is not postponing local council elections but is proposing "to cancel" the local elections planned for next March, according to PN Secretary General Chris Said.

Addressing a press conference at the the party's headquarters in Pieta, Said argued that the government was not only taking youths for a ride - after promising them a vote in next year local council elections - but is now threatening democracy and the concept of subsidiarity with its decision.

He went on to question why government launched a consultation process only four months after Prime Minister Joseph Muscat floated the idea and just six months before the elections.

"Every vote in democracy matters, even in local councils. A Nationalist government always sought consensus with the opposition on matters of electoral reform. Today, the government reduced democracy to pounds, shillings and cents and, when that argument no longer held, insisted the electorate was tired of elections," Said said.

Said added that residents had the right to choose and change their council representatives, pointing out that the government's justification for its proposal do not hold.

"The Justice Minister first argued it was about saving €2 million, yet they found an extra €100 million to finance the Cabinet and €4.2 million to bailout Cafe Premier. When he realised this argument was not holding, he talked about voter fatigue. But how could you argue about voter fatigue with a 75% turnout in the EP elections?" he asked.

PN spokesman for youths Robert Cutajar and whip David Agius accused government of taking youths for a ride, with the Vote 16 set to become "Vote 20."

"Postponing the elections is an attack against youths and the government must reveal its true agenda behind its decision," Cutajar said.

Agius said celebrating 20 years of local councils should be about strengthening them and discussing how to allocate more funds. He added that government, despite launching the public consultation, has not yet presented the opposition with a copy of the draft legislation.

Asked whether the PN saw a link between government's decision to postpone the elections and the planned abrogative referendum on spring hunting,  Said said the question can only be answered by Muscat.

"Only he knows what he has in mind, but elections should not be based on political calculations. Calculating politically would probably mean the PN would benefit if no elections are held next year but our concern is the democratic tool which the citizens are entitled to."