The Labour Party today presented 200 candidates who will contest the local council elections on its ticket on March 10.

Speaking at a press conference near Wignacourt Tower in St Paul's Bay, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said he was pleased by the team which Labour will present and he was confident all the candidates would all do their best in the service of their constituents and localities.

Just under half of the candidates are contesting the elections for the first time.

Dr Muscat said the team was rich in quality, grouping people from all strata of society including many young people, although he admitted that he would have liked to see more female candidates.

The Labour leader criticised the government's decision to dissolve Sliema council, saying the fact that an election would also have to be held there was a ploy by the PN to upset the balance by having a major PN-leaning locality in the current batch of elections. The elections in Sliema were supposed to be held next year 

Figures issued by the Labour Party show that 29% of the candidates are young people, many of whom joined the PL during the START programme to attract new members.  17% of the candidates are women. 

Along with these candidates, the PL so far has four confirmed candidates for the Sliema council election.

Dr Muscat said the candidates were being presented in St Paul's Bay because this was a locality with great potential, where all councillors could work together along with the government to help the residents and SMEs.