Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/478858
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 15 MARCH 2015 12 News MIRIAM DALLI PRIME Minister and Labour leader Joseph Muscat denied that the La- bour Party was in an advantageous position for the local elections, de- spite these being held in 34 localities, the majority of which are Labour strongholds. Addressing the launch of the 177 candidates Labour is fielding for the council elections, Muscat also said that the PL was starting with six few- er seats, following an NSO review of the localities' populations. 32% of the candidates are youths, marking the biggest number of youths to contest the local elections. Muscat, pushing for a Labour win in the 11 April council elections, insisted that it was a fact that mid- term elections are won by the party in opposition. "The election kicks off at a level playing field, everyone starting from zero. I can't even say which council belongs to one party or the other. Every election is different. However, usually, governments always start at a disadvantage in mid-term elections," he said, adding that the PL was sim- ply working harder to "reconfirm it- self with the electorate". The Labour leader's target is to win the local elections – as small as the majority may be – and become the "first government in recent history" to meet such a target. Addressing the media, councillors, candidates and villagers at Marsax- MARTINA BORG LAUNCHED just last Sunday, subsidised Air Malta referendum and local council election flights have attracted 1,194 bookings so far. The figure was confirmed by Air Malta spokesman Stephen Gauci. It appears that the scheme is at- tracting more interest than usual. Last Sunday, the government an- nounced that travel arrangements were being made for eligible vot- ers living abroad to enable them to vote in the spring hunting ref- erendum and local elections on 11 April. Air Malta would be making re- turn air tickets at €70 available, inclusive of taxes and other charg- es, to persons who are eligible to vote. According to a Parliamentary Question, during the 2013 general elections, 4,891 Maltese took up the offer. The 2009 MEP elections had at- tracted 1,377 nationals to vote whereas the 2008 general elections saw 3,057 Maltese making use of the scheme. The subsidised Air Malta tick- ets are often regarded by Maltese nationals living abroad both as a way to exert their civic rights and duties, and even to enjoy a week- end back home with relatives and friends. The standard cut-down price for election scheme tickets is that of €35 whereas this time around the tickets are being offered for €70. In a report from 2012, MaltaTo- day had revealed that during the 2008 general elections, Air Malta had received €1,015,724 in subsi- dies from the government for the scheme, and during the 2009 MEP elections, it received €442,345. Travel to Malta is possible from April 6 to 11 and return travel is from April 11 to April 19, both dates included. These travel arrangements are available for eligible voters, in- cluding those married to foreign- ers, studying, working or undergo- ing medical treatment abroad; and their dependants. A dependant refers to the child or stepchild of such person under the age of 18 years, or the spouse of such a person. Persons to whom this offer ap- plies must be eligible voters whose name appears in the Electoral Reg- ister published on January 26 this year. Biggest number of youths yet contesting local elections 1,194 Maltese take up Air Malta discounted referendum flights Labour fielding 177 candidates, starting with six fewer seats Prime Minister Joseph Muscat addressing the launch of 177 Labour local council candidates in Marsaxlokk Air Malta would be making return air tickets at €70 available, inclusive of taxes and other charges