Malta will be the first country in the EU where a sixteen-year-old can be elected Mayor
In a news conference, the Minister for National Heritage, Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici and the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli presented a bill that provides amendments to the Act on the -Local Government so that young people under the age of 18 can occupy the role of Mayor or Vice-Mayor if they gain the trust of the electorate.
Minister Owen Bonnici said that thanks to these amendments, Malta will therefore be the first country to introduce this reform. He explained how this amendment will therefore allow young people under the age of 18 to contest and be elected in the Local Council election and who obtain the required amount of votes, assume the role of Mayor or Vice-mayor.
In the European Union, Austria is the only other country where a person of sixteen can vote in Local Elections but cannot contest as a candidate. Malta, therefore, is the first country in the EU where a person aged 16 can vote, go to the Local Elections and for the first time now if this person gets the largest amount of votes from the Party that gets the majority of votes, will also be elected Mayor.
“We had promised in the Electoral Manifesto to carry out this legislative change. Thanks to these amendments, the Government will be keeping its word and what we promised and mentioned even in the National Local Government Strategy 2023-2030, which was launched last May, we will be fulfilling it. ,” repeated Minister Bonnici.
He continued that this is a strong vote of confidence in young people and will continue to build on the important reforms that have already been carried out over the years, where he mentioned, among others, the right to vote to young people of 16 years and the right for young people under 18 to run for Local Council elections. “We are doing all this because we have great confidence in our young people and in the active role they must play in the operation of our democracy,” concluded Minister Bonnici.
Parliamentary Secretary Alison Zerafa Civelli explained that in the coming weeks she will trigger a process of discussion with the main partners of the Local Government with the aim of having mentoring programs so that everyone who is elected to serve in the Local Councils he is aware of the obligations and duties he has entered into, regardless of age.
“This Government has always had great trust in young people and through this legislative change in the area of Local Government it will continue to support and strengthen that trust because it believes in the potential and energy they can offer , regardless of age,” emphasized Parliamentary Secretary Zerafa Civelli.
She also made reference to the Local Council elections scheduled for next year where she encouraged more young people to contest and continue to make a difference in society and the communities where they live.
