As the sun set on the 2021 local council elections, a new dawn was breaking over Malta’s political scene. The numbers were in, and they told a story of change. The Nationalist Party (PN) saw its numbers dwindle, while the Labour Party (PL) almost doubled its tally. But perhaps the most striking shift was the rise in the number of women candidates across the board.

The PN, which has traditionally held a strong presence in local councils, saw a significant drop in its numbers. However, amidst the party’s challenges, one positive trend emerged: an increase in the number of women candidates. While the PN’s overall representation decreased, the number of women elected to local councils increased by 17%. This shift was particularly notable in towns like Qormi and Birkirkara, where women candidates made significant gains.

Among them was Maria Aquilina, a PN candidate who made history by becoming the first woman to be elected as mayor of Qormi. Aquilina, a social worker by profession, brings a fresh perspective to the role, promising to tackle issues like mental health and social welfare in her community.

On the other side of the political spectrum, the Labour Party almost doubled its tally of local council seats. The party’s success was driven in part by a surge in support for its women candidates. The PL saw a 30% increase in the number of women elected to local councils, a testament to the party’s efforts to promote gender balance in politics.

One of the PL’s standout candidates was Claudette Buttigieg, who was elected as mayor of Żebbuġ. Buttigieg, a former teacher, campaigned on a platform of community engagement and environmental sustainability. Her victory is a reflection of the PL’s strategy to field candidates who are deeply rooted in their communities and committed to local issues.

The rise in the number of women candidates is a significant development in Maltese politics. It signals a shift away from the traditional, male-dominated political scene and towards a more inclusive and diverse democracy. This trend is not unique to Malta; it’s part of a broader global trend of women’s increased participation in politics.

However, the work of promoting gender balance in politics is far from done. According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, women make up only 15.3% of parliamentarians in Malta, a figure that lags behind many of its European neighbours. The challenge for both the PN and the PL, and for Malta’s political scene more broadly, is to build on the momentum of the 2021 local council elections and continue to promote women’s participation in politics.

As Malta looks ahead to the next general election, the question on everyone’s mind is: will the tide of women candidates continue to rise? . But one thing is certain: the political scene of Malta is changing, and women are leading the charge.