Domestic violence commissioner weighs up offer to run for Labour
Samantha Pace Gasan is expected to be announced as a candidate in the coming days
The head of the Commission on Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence, Samantha Pace Gasan, has announced she is weighing up an offer to contest the next general election as a Labour Party candidate.
On Thursday, the PL revealed the first group of 17 candidates who will contest the next general elections, including five new ones.
While Pace Gasan was not on the list, party sources said she is expected to be formally confirmed as a candidate in the coming days.
Speaking to Times of Malta, Pace Gasan said she is evaluating the greater contribution she could make towards a society that recognises people’s aspirations and is more just for everyone.
“I consider politics to be the best tool for a person to be a voice in favour of the rights of different social groups, and therefore I confirm that I am considering contesting the next general election,” she said. “My personal and professional experiences have brought me closer to many people facing different challenges, and over the past years I have also chosen to work on aspects that are more difficult to speak about,” she said, adding that she believed in the importance of women’s participation in public life.
Over the past years I have also chosen to work on aspects that are more difficult to speak about
Pace Gasan was appointed head of the Commission on Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence in 2023, having previously served as the commissioner for persons with a disability. She has also worked at MEUSAC and as a researcher at the University of Malta’s Faculty for Social Well-being. She co-authored research into the impact of COVID-19 on people with disability and is active within civil society, having founded the Network of Young Women Leaders.
She graduated with a BA Hons in Social Politics in 2016 and later obtained a Master in Creativity and Innovation. In the latter, she focused on social innovation in small and medium enterprises.
Pace Gasan has been socially active since she was young. She was a member of the Malta Girl Guides and several other non-governmental organisations. She also sat on the National Youth Council and Studenti Ħarsien Soċjali.
Prime Minister Robert Abela has repeatedly dismissed rumours of an early election. In January he insisted “we still have a lot to do”.
The five new candidates unveiled on Thursday are Vania Agius Tabone, who will contest the 8th and 9th districts; Martina Buhagiar on districts 2 and 3; and David Caruana, Lisa Cassar Shaw and Mariah Meli, who will also contest the 9th and 10th districts.