Five hours into the counting of the local council elections votes at Naxxar, the Nationalist Party appears to be retaking control of San Gwann and Pieta councils from the Labour Party. It will also keep Mtarfa, which it took from Labour after that council was dissolved almost a year ago.

The Labour Party appears to be holding on to Msida and Rabat and may gain a new seat at Sannat (where AD, which had a seat, is not contesting). It is far too early to say whether Birkirkara will swing to Labour after the narrow margin three years ago.

Sannat is so far the only locality with a newcomer as Mayor, Philip Vella (PL) aged 23, having been elected on the first count. Other mayors have retained their post. The mayor of Lija (PN) more than doubled his votes, the mayor of Ghaxaq (PL) almost doubled his. Michael Cohen(PL) was confirmed as mayor for the fourth term in Kalkara. Mdina Mayor Peter Dei Conti Sant Manduca (PN) was the first candidate to be elected, and he was confirmed in saddle. The mayors of Xghajra (PL) and Cospicua (PL) were also confirmed. Anthony Mifsud is expected to be confirmed mayor of Mtarfa, although one has to watch the performance of an independent candidate.

David Apap Agius (PN) , in Gharb, is also expected tokeep his post, but much depends on what votes will be inherited by Victor Galea, the Alternattiva Demokratika candidate.

Voting took place last Saturday in 23 localities - Mdina, Cospicua, Żabbar, Victoria, Birkirkara, Fgura, Gudja, Għarb, Għaxaq, Kalkara, Lija, Marsascala, Mġarr, Msida, Naxxar, Pieta, Rabat, San Ġwann, Sannat , Sliema, Tarxien, Xgħajra and Mtarfa.

Turnout was 77.19, up 11% over three years ago because European Parliament elections were being held concurrently.

Support for the parties has fluctuated when compared to three years ago. In Gharb, for example, the PN vote was down 17%, mostly because of the participation of an AD candidate. The PN gained 10% in tiny Mdina and 13% in Mtarfa. It also gained in Xaghra (5%). Both PN and PL gained at Sannat as AD bowed out from this locality. The PL also gained at Kalkara.

The newly-elected councils will have a four year term, meaning that the next election is likely to coincide with the general elections.

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