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11 ANALYSIS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 23 JUNE 2024 back on Labour? PN benefitted from local factors But several local issues may have also boosted the PN's chances on 8 June and these fac- tors are unlikely to be repeated in a general election. The PN saw a significant 71% increase in its vote tally in Munxar, which is very likely a vote of appreciation for Nation- alist mayor Damien Spiteri, who may have also received backing from sympathetic PL support- ers. In Żebbuġ, the PN also ex- perienced a significant increase in votes on the back of disquiet within the Labour camp that saw the former Labour mayor Marlene Cini first announce that she will not contest only to change her mind later. Sources pointed out that these and other examples are local factors that could have pushed Labour voters to abstain in lo- cal elections or even vote for PN candidates. "These factors are unlikely to be repeated in a general election and so it has to be seen how the electorate will behave then," a veteran PN functionary said. But the PN may also benefit from its adversary's internal problems caused by the rivalry between ministers Clint Camill- eri and Anton Refalo. Camilleri has been Gozo minister since January 2020, while Refalo is currently agriculture minister. The PL's Camilleri-Refalo rift A source within the PL, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly about internal matters, pointed towards two particular localities where this rivalry was clearly on show. In Xagħra, where both major parties put great effort, the PN increased its support by 559 votes and added two council- lors despite still losing out to Labour. But the biggest loser in Xagħra was Clint Camilleri, the source noted. "In Xagħra, Anton Refalo's chief of staff Victor Curmi beat Clint Camilleri's ally Aaron Agius hands down to become the new Labour mayor," the source said. In Xewkija, former mayor and Camilleri aide Hubert Saliba did not contest the election, avoid- ing a showdown with Refalo's daughter, Simona Refalo, who was elected mayor in a strong showing. But the biggest hit for Camill- eri was in his hometown of Qa- la. The PN made big gains and although the PL still won it lost 219 votes when compared to 2019. Matters were compound- ed late last week when Corey Cardona, one of two Labour councillors elected in Nadur and a canvasser for Camilleri, resigned just a week after the election. "There is widespread dissatis- faction with the Gozo Ministry, which is reflected in a relative- ly high abstention rate among Labour voters but the Refa- lo-Camilleri rivalry is not help- ing one bit," the source said. Whether the PL's internal warfare will have an impact in a general election still has to be seen but the council results did bring out the stark difference between the PN's tight ship and the PL's vessel, which is taking in water. It may be too early to say whether Gozo has turned its back on the PL or simply giv- en it a temporary cold shoulder but the 8 June results show that Gozitan voters, like anywhere else, cannot be taken for grant- ed. PN PL Others 1981 59.2% 40.7% 0.04% 1987 54.2% 45.8% 0% 1992 58.9% 40.4% 0.6% 1996 53.7% 45.5% 0.8% 1998 56.5% 42.8% 1.7% 2003 58.8% 40.8% 0.4% 2008 55.4% 42.9% 1.8% 2013 50.1% 49.1% 0.8% 2017 47.9% 51.2% 0.9% 2022 43.9% 53.5% 2.5% PN PL Others 2019 46.7% 50.4% 2.9% 2024 50.6% 46.1% 3.3% General election results in Gozo Local election results in Gozo It may be too early to say whether Gozo has turned its back on the PL or simply given it a temporary cold shoulder but the 8 June results show that Gozitan voters, like anywhere else, cannot be taken for granted