The PN is bracing itself for what party insiders fear could be some nasty surprises in the local council elections following a high turnout, as vote counting gets under way tomorrow.

The Nationalist Party’s declared target was to narrow the gap to Labour after a series of landslide defeats. But PN sources told Times of Malta that the high turnout, especially in pro-hunting localities, did not bode well for it.

They explained that Labour stood a good chance of achieving a majority in Siġġiewi for the first time and mounting a serious challenge in the PN stronghold of Nadur. 

There is also a possibility of Labour regaining Mosta and keeping hold of its majority in St Paul’s Bay. 

Failure by the PN to make any inroads in this poll, in the wake of last year’s bad result in the European Parliament elections, will raise questions and pile more pressure on the party leadership, even though the general election may still be three years away.