Young notary Christian Zammit has launched his electoral bid for June's European Parliament elections under Labour's banner.

The 26-year-old said he decided to contest the elections because, five years ago, he was disappointed that no Gozitan had taken the initiative.

That was a "grave error" because no Gozitan expressed the opinions, pleas and ideas of the island.

The launch, attended by party leader Joe Muscat and Gozitan Labour MPs, was held above the Calypso cave in Xagħra, the butt of controversy following a proposal to redevelop the nearby Ulysses Lodge building into a villa complex. Dr Zammit said the government was "guilty of failing to obtain a privileged status for Gozo", a failure that meant it was not entitled to any supplementary European regional funds.

Dr Muscat said Dr Zammit's candidature confirmed that the Labour Party's list of candidates was the most qualitative one and he was sure that Dr Zammit would be an asset, working intensely in the interest of the electorate, particularly youths and Gozitans.

Dr Zammit occupied the post of assistant international secretary of the Labour Party for two years. He is vice-mayor of Xagħra.