St Paul's Bay finally has itself a mayor again, ending weeks of uncertainty which followed political tumult in the northern locality. 

Nationalist Party councillor Anne Fenech has taken over the vacant mayoral seat, with Daniel Grima installed as deputy mayor. 

Ms Fenech won more first-count votes during the 2015 local council election - which was won by the PN - than any other remaining PN councillor, and was therefore the council member required to step into the hot seat. 

In a statement announcing the appointments, the PN said that "common sense" had finally won and that it was glad to see that the democratic choice made by St Paul's Bay residents had finally been respected. 

The PN had gone to court to block an attempt by Labour Party councillors to take over the council, which was thrown into disarray after two PN councillors quit the party while remaining on the council as independents and former mayor  Graziella Galea resigned the post ahead of a planned no-confidence vote.

With the two parties caught in a deadlock and without a mayor to sign off on decisions, the council ended up unable to operate - reportedly to the detriment of council staff, who could not receive their salaries. 

Last month, Justice Minister Owen Bonnici stepped into the fray and ordered the council to appoint a mayor as soon as possible, in line with stipulations of the Local Council Act. 

Dr Bonnici was quick to hail the appointment of a new PN mayor, writing in a tweet that Ms Fenech's appointment showed that rule of law "is paramount to this government." 

 

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