Desirei Grech’s Future As Birkirkara Mayor In Doubt With New Vote Tomorrow
Desirei Grech’s term as Birkirkara mayor is hanging in the balance and could come to an end tomorrow following a new vote.
Grech was appointed mayor last July for a three-month period after the split council repeatedly failed to reach a consensus. The six PN councillors had originally nominated Grech, their most popular councillor, while the six PL councillors proposed Yana Borg Debono Grech, their most popular councillor and the daughter of former mayor Joanne Debono Grech.
However, the PL councillors voted against Grech, the PN councillors voted against Borg Debono Grech, and independent councillor Kaylocke Buhagiar voted against both of them.
In a second meeting, the PN once again proposed Grech, which was again shot down by the PL councillors and Buhagiar. Meanwhile, the PL attempted a different strategy and nominated Buhagiar for the role of mayor. However, Borg Debono Grech joined the six PN councillors in voting against him.
Grech, as the most popular councillor from the most popular party in Birkirkara, was therefore automatically appointed mayor for a three-month term, which is set to expire tomorrow.
In the meantime, the PL has appointed a new administration, and Alex Agius Saliba – the new Deputy Leader for Party Affairs – recently held a meeting with Birkirkara’s PL councillors, including Borg Debono Grech.
@lovinmaltaofficialBirkirkara has a new mayor… at least for the next three months. On Desirei Grech’s first day as mayor, Lovin Malta accompanied her on a tour of the Birkirkara monti.
Everything is still hanging in the balance and could largely hinge on whether one of the parties can come up with some kind of deal that Buhagiar finds acceptable. Lovin Malta is informed that one of the options being discussed internally is for Borg Debono Grech and Buhagiar to spend two and a half years each as mayor and deputy mayor, swapping their positions midway through the legislature.
However, nothing has been decided at this stage, and Buhagiar told Lovin Malta that he will wait and see what proposals the parties present tomorrow before taking a decision.
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