Watch: ‘Respect The People’s Vote’ – Desirei Grech Appeals To Councillors Ahead Of New Mayor Vote
Birkirkara’s interim mayor Desirei Grech has urged PL councillors and independent councillor Kaylocke Buhagiar to “respect the will of the people” and support her as permanent mayor.
“I believe the electorate’s vote should be respected,” Grech told Lovin Malta yesterday, “The PN won around 700 more votes than the PL in the Birkirkara elections and I believe that, although I served as mayor for the past three months through a legal process, the electorate’s vote hasn’t been respected.”
Although the PN won more votes than PL in Birkirkara, both parties elected six councillors each, with the final seat won by independent councillor Kaylocke Buhagiar.
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They have so far failed to reach a majority consensus on who should be elected mayor, and Grech – as the most popular councillor from the most popular party – has served as mayor these past three months as an interim measure. If the councillors once again fail to reach an agreement today, Grech will be appointed mayor for another three months, after which another vote will be taken.
She said that, although she worked these past three months as though she had a full term, Birkirkara needs stability.
“From the comments I receive, it seems as though residents are happy with the work that has taken place in Birkirkara over the past three months,” she said. “However, there’s still no stability for the people of Birkirkara, the council workers, or the councillors. The word ‘stability’ isn’t just a buzzword but something you must believe in and act upon.”
Grech expressed confidence that a compromise deal can be reached with Buhagiar, who happens to be an old friend of hers
“We are friends at the end of the day and we live practically right next to each other,” she said. “I have always known him as someone who loves Birkirkara, as I do, and I believe that we can reach a compromise if we work hand in hand.”
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