New Fgura mayor Byron Camilleri has pledged to work closely with all councillors for the benefit of the town and for the council to become a model for others around Malta and Gozo.

Speaking to The Times following his appointment on Tuesday evening, the 23-year-old law student said he would carry on the good work done by the previous mayors, whom he thanked for what they had done for Fgura. Mr Camilleri has succeeded Darren Marmara who resigned on July 16 after falling out with councillors of his own party. Mr Marmara stepped down shortly before facing a motion of no confidence submitted by fellow Labour councillors who complained of “lack of serenity” within the council.

“I will seek to work closely with all councillors, without any distinction, and I am certain all of them will continue giving their active contribution. I would like us to work as a team for this council to be relevant for the Fgura residents, whom we represent,” he said.

He would be working “for the council to have a serious and transparent leadership” which “surpasses the expectations of Fgura residents”.

According to law governing local councils, the councillor who won the second highest number of votes at the last council election should have been made mayor.

However, that person, former mayor Anthony Degiovanni, who garnered 1,359 first count votes in the 2009 election, declined to being appointed mayor again. He instead nominated Mr Camilleri.

Mr Degiovanni’s decision did not come as a surprise, more so because it was Mr Camilleri’s name which was listed as Mr Marmara’s successor in the motion of no confidence filed by the Labour councillors, including Mr Degiovanni.

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