Malta’s Political scene Shifts: More Women, Fewer PN, PL’s Female Tally Soars

As the sun set over the Grandmaster’s Palace in Valletta, the results of Malta’s local council elections began to paint a new picture of the island’s political scene. A striking trend emerged: the number of women candidates rose significantly, while the Nationalist Party (PN) saw a decline, and the Labour Party (PL) almost doubled its female tally.

PN’s Numbers Dip, PL’s Women Rise

The PN, led by Bernard Grech, saw a decrease in the number of women elected compared to the 2019 local council elections. Out of the 59 PN councillors elected this time, only 18 are women, a drop from the 25 elected in 2019. This decrease comes despite the PN’s efforts to promote gender balance, with Grech himself committing to a 50-50 gender balance in the party’s candidate list.

Meanwhile, the PL, led by Prime Minister Robert Abela, saw a significant increase in the number of women elected. From 27 women councillors in 2019, the PL now has 48, almost doubling its female tally. This surge in women representation comes amidst Abela’s push for more gender equality in politics, with the PL’s candidate list boasting a high number of women.

Women Candidates: A Rising Tide

Across the political spectrum, the number of women candidates increased significantly. According to data from the Electoral Commission, 41.5% of candidates in the 2021 local council elections were women, up from 36.7% in 2019. This trend was evident in both rural and urban areas, with towns like Birkirkara and Mosta seeing a significant increase in the number of women candidates.

One such candidate is Dr. Maria Deguara, a PL councillor-elect in Birkirkara. “I believe that women bring a different perspective to politics,” she says. “We need more women in decision-making roles to ensure that our communities are truly representative and inclusive.”

Challenges Ahead: Retention and Representation

While the increase in women candidates is a positive step, retaining these women in politics and ensuring their voices are heard remains a challenge. A study by the University of Malta found that women in Maltese politics often face barriers such as work-life balance issues, lack of mentorship, and negative stereotypes.

the increase in women candidates does not necessarily translate to an increase in women in leadership positions. Out of the 65 local councils elected, only 13 are led by women, a slight increase from the 11 in 2019.

Dr. Maria Attard, a political scientist at the University of Malta, notes, “While the increase in women candidates is encouraging, we need to ensure that this translates into meaningful representation and influence in decision-making processes.”

As Malta looks ahead to the next general election, the challenge will be to build on this momentum, to ensure that the island’s political scene continues to shift towards greater gender balance and equality.