Today, Minister Owen Bonnici announced that a compromise solution had been found with regards to the holding of Local Council elections.

Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson, Prof. Arnold Cassola said: “It goes to the government’s credit, in particular Minister Owen Bonnici, to have listened to the voice of reason presented by Alternattiva Demokratika and other bodies. It is good that it did not persist in its original position, which would have meant the cancelling of the 2015 Local council elections and going against the basic tenets of democracy”.

Alternattiva Demokratika Deputy Chairperson, Carmel Cacopardo, said: “In its meetings with Minister Owen Bonnici, Alternattiva Demokrtika proposed the following compromise solution: the 2015 Local Council elections will be held on the same day as the spring hunting referendum, with a mandate till May 2019, whilst the 2017 Local council elections will be postponed to May 2019. In May 2019 all Local Council elections will be held in conjunction with European Elections, with a five year mandate”.