PN expects low turnout in some localities

The Nationalist Party knows that the tough reforms being carried out by the government will unavoidably reflect in the local council results. The Labour Party is optimistic it will retain the majority it obtained three years ago and Alternattiva Demokratika hopes to ride the wave of disgruntlement in the country.

With four days to go to the local council elections, the three electoral parties are on the last hurdle of their campaign, hoping to win more votes at the 11th hour.

The PN's decision to withdraw some of its candidates from the MLP strongholds of Marsa and Zejtun to avoid an election there has overshadowed what has been a largely muted electoral campaign.

PN general secretary Joe Saliba admitted that his party's low-key campaign was intentional, in stark contrast to the MLP, which has held mass activities to drum up support.

"We don't think we should have a yearly electoral campaign in Malta. Instead we are carrying out more home visits," Mr Saliba said.

He envisaged election turnout to be in the region of previous years - between 68 and 70 per cent. But he also expects voter turnout to remain low in the traditional PN localities, like St Paul's Bay and St Julians.

Mr Saliba would not be drawn into forecasting Saturday's result, though it is evident the PN is not expecting a very good showing.

"It's normal for the ruling party in any country to take a dip in the popularity stakes mid-way through its term. In the UK, the Conservatives did well at a local level but does anyone doubt that Tony Blair is on his way to another electoral victory?" he said.

Asked whether he feared that many PN supporters could be switching their allegiance to AD on Saturday, Mr Saliba said that vote shifting in a democracy was actually a positive thing.

"This is what happens in other countries. Of course it's then our job to convince people that the PN has the best policies for the country and we will bring them back on board for the general election. This is, after all, what happened in previous elections."

In the same elections three years ago, the MLP obtained seven per cent of the vote more than the PN but a year later the Nationalists won a landslide victory at the polls.

Does this mean that the PN is bracing itself for a major defeat on Saturday?

"No, I'm not saying that. We still want to perform well but I'm realistic. If we don't do well we will be the first to admit defeat, unlike the MLP," Mr Saliba said.

He said the party administration was aware that there would be some negative reaction within the party in connection with the Zejtun and Marsa councils. "There are strategies that work and others that don't. Maybe the methodology used could have been different but ultimately it all boils down to a strategy."

MLP general secretary Jason Micallef said his party intended to continue building on the electoral successes it registered last year.

The MLP's aim is to win the same majority registered three years ago, when it won 52.2 per cent of the vote. "It would be no mean feat, considering we have been shorn of an election in Marsa and Zejtun - a decision which in itself angered a lot of Nationalists."

Mr Micallef said his party would analyse the results in detail because ultimately the electorate always sends a message in local elections.

He said he was optimistic of a success by the MLP, judging by the sterling work carried out in Labour-led localities.

Ultimately, there is a lot of disgruntlement in the country - and it was useless for the PN to hide under the pretext of reforms, Mr Micallef charged. Issues like the gas cylinders' shortage ultimately boiled down to irresponsibility, he said.

AD general secretary Stephen Cachia said the feedback throughout the campaign has been very good. "Whether it translates into votes for us is another matter. But there's huge criticism of the government, even in those traditional PN areas, like St Julians and St Paul's Bay."

AD's aim is to elect at least one candidate, contrary to three years ago when the party failed to do so.

Mr Cachia said AD would not only get the votes of disgruntled Nationalists but there were an increasing number that were in tune with the Greens' message.

"But it's clear that a lot of people want to pass on some message in these elections. Many are telling us that the government is bulldozing its way over them, without consultation," he said.

The feeling gauged by AD officials is that a substantial number of people will not go out to vote on Saturday. "The PN have an extra-low key campaign this time round. Maybe it's in their interest that the turnout is low," Mr Cachia said.

Local council elections: