Two PN mayors not contesting March elections

The Mayor of Zebbug, Carmelo Saliba and the Mayor of San Lawrenz, Noel Formosa  have written to PN secretary general Paul Borg Olivier to declare their decision not to contest the forthcoming local council elections in March.

Nationalist Party sources have told MaltaToday that the two mayors were pressured by the party not to contest elections and renounce their candidature.

In his letter Saliba said that his decision is motivated by his two pending court cases. Saliba is facing charges on the creation of a passageway in the country side which MEPA considered as illegal dumping and the misuse of a laptop belonging to the local council.

Formosa's decision is also motivated by his pending court case in regards to charges of fraud he faces with five other local councillors and two directors of a travel agency. Formosa said he has decided to "retire from the public scene" until court proves his innocence in regards to the "unjust" accusations of fraud.

Formosa wrote "I must say that this is a moment of sufferance for myself and my family but I  believe this is the right decision".

On his part, Saliba wrote, "In order to put myself in the best position to prove my innocence and not to put the Nationalist Party in bad light, I renounce my candidature for the 10 March elections".

Saliba, who has been serving on the Zebbug local council since 1994, added "Whilst remaining loyal to the principles I always held and maintaining my readiness to help and serve the party I have always supported, I would appreciate if you do understand my position."

In his reply, Borg Olivier said that he "appreciates" the intentions of Saliba and Formosa not to contest the forthcoming elections and thanked them for their services.

Borg Olivier told both mayors "Your decision not to contest reflects your sense of integrity you have always demonstrated".