They cannot get married themselves unless they get special authorisation... but 16-year-old mayors will be able to perform marriage ceremonies under a new law awaiting Parliament’s approval.

The bill, currently being debated in Parliament, follows a government announcement earlier in October that it will be moving legislation to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to become mayors.

The Bill will emancipate these young politicians during the fulfillment of their duties.

But, should they want to get married themselves, they will have to get parental approval.

For while Malta's Marriage Act allows 16-year-olds to get married, they need consent either from their parents or from court.

Under the new law being debated, the young mayors will also be able to sue and be sued, buy property in their council’s name, submit development plans to the Planning Authority and object to plans at the PA. 

The Bill also specifies that the council’s legal representation will be jointly shared between the mayor and council's executive secretary.   

16-year-olds were able to contest and vote in local elections as of 2019. However, they were unable to become mayors or vice-mayors.

This led to an anomalous situation in Għargħur and St Paul's Bay, where the candidates obtaining the highest number of votes from among the party getting the majority of seats were 16 and 17.

Although they should have technically become mayors, the law did not allow this and the position was given to the councillor next in line.

Should the legislative amendments go through Parliamentary approval, this will not be the case from the next elections in spring, Parliamentary secretary for local councils, Alison Zerafa Civelli said.

The new law, she told Parliament will empower young people to lead their communities.   

"Being a young councillor or mayor does not mean you are losing your youth, it means you are gaining valuable experience," she said.

The PN's local government spokesperson, Darren Carabott, said the PN will support the amendments but certain amendments may be needed to remove anomalies.

Giving an example he said that while a young mayor will be able to buy property on behalf of the council, they would not be able to do so in their own name.

They can be sued in court as mayors, but if they are taken to court in their personal capacity, their parents are responsible, he pointed out.