Prime Minister Joseph Muscat is scared of half the electorate by deciding to scrap local council elections which were meant to be held this weekend, the Nationalist Party said. 

Two years ago, without any consultation, the Prime Minister decided to strike off regular local elections, as happens in normal democracies, the Opposition said through its whip David Agius.

Local elections will now be held "under the shadow" of the European Parliament elections. 

This means that councillors of half the country will now be serving beyond their original term and this to the detriment of the same council. 

"Muscat is scared that through their vote, the electorate will send a stronger message than it did two years ago," Mr Agius said.

He added that the government was leaving local councils with insufficient resources to make ends meet.