No contests for PL administrative posts

No post in the administration of the Labour Party will be contested at the party's annual general conference later this month since nominations were only submitted by the incumbents.

The PL said that at the closing time for the submission of nominations, the only nominations for the posts were:

President - Dr Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi.

Vice President - Louis Gatt.

Organising Secretary - Ray Azzopardi.

International Secretary - Alex Sceberras Trigona.

The party said that at the first meeting of the executive following the general conference, appointments would be made to the new post of Secretary of the Executive (after approval of the post by the conference), chairman of the IDEAT Foundation and Financial Administrator.

The holders of those posts would all be members of the executive, as would the whip of the Parliamentary Group and the president of the Councillors section.

Following amendments to the statute, the executive would also be asked to appoint two new officials - one for equal opportunities and the other a coordinator of local councils.

The PL said there were 17 nominations for membership of the executive. They were submitted by Frans Agius, Mario Azzopardi, Jonathan Brimmer, Gerlene Camilleri, Maria Camilleri, Krista Caruana, Guza Cassar, Nettu Farrugia, Alfred Grixti, Brian Hansford, Stanley Mifsud, Alexander Muscat, Alex Sciberras, Salvu Seychell, Antoinette Vassallo, Nikita Zammit Alamango and Alison Zerafa.

Twelve will be elected by the general conference. At least four have to be women and at least two have to be under 35 years old.

The party observed that 41 per cent of the candidates are women and 41 per cent are under 35 years old.

It said the candidates were a mix of experience and newcomers to the political field. Some had experience in local politics, others were experienced in national politics. They included students, professionals, manual workers and businesses people.

The party said earlier this week that the executive had decided to move an amendment to the statute to abolish the post of General Secretary. That decision also has to be taken by the general conference.