Local councils : a stepping stone to Parliament

Abstract

Since their introduction in 1993, local councils have established new opportunities for both political parties and residents living in different localities, concerning the method and the need for participation in local government. Although in Malta locally, the concept of local councils is still developing, however it already has left its impact on the political scene. In this essay, I will discuss and assess the use of local councils by many local councillors as a first stepping-stone to Parliament: by first discussing the local political scene; candidates' nomination by the parties; and the introduction of local government. Subsequently I will discuss and assess each of the three general elections since the introduction of local councils regarding the level of success accomplished by those local councillors who contested these general elections (1996, 1998, and 2003).