 Back in the 19th Century, one may find some sort of Civil Council both on a local as well as regional dimension, one of which was found in Zurrieq. The last remaining was that for the region of Gozo, which stopped functioning in 1973. In 1993 the Maltese Parliament passed the legislation on Local Councils, and on the 20th of November of the same year the Zurrieq community elected its first Local Council.
In these first local elections, 6,067 out of a population of 8,518, were entitled to voted. As a result of this election, the following councillors were elected:
Axiaq, Raymond Independent Bugeja, Joseph Partit Nazzjonalista Cassar, Joseph Mary Independent Darmanin, Joseph Independent D'Amato, Helen Partit Nazzjonalista Saliba, Saviour Independent Sammut, Joseph Mario Independent
From these elected councillors, Saliba Saviour was appointed Mayor, and D'Amato Helen was appointed Deputy Mayor. On the 30th of October, 1994, Sammut Joseph M. resigned D'Amato Joseph was co-opted to replace him.
On the 9th of March, 1996 the election for the second Local Council term of legislation was held and for this election 6,383 were eligible to vote out of a population of 9,021. The councillors elected for this term of office were:
Bugeja, Joseph Partit Nazzjonalista Cassar, Joseph Mary Independent D'Amato, Helen Partit Nazzjonalista D'Amato, Joseph Independent Farrugia, Saverina Independent Mangion, Carmel Independent Saliba, Saviour Independent
From these elected councillors Cassar Joseph M. was appointed Mayor while Mangion Carmel was appointed Deputy Mayor. On the 26th of November 1996, D'Amato Helen resigned and Pace Parascandalo Mauro was elected in a casual election.
On the 12th of March, 1999, the election for the third legislative term was held. Out of a population of 9,210, there were 6,717 entitled to vote for this third council. The following councilors were elected:
Cassar, Joseph Mary Malta Labour Party Farrugia, Antonia Malta Labour Party Farrugia, Saverina Malta Labour Party Grixti, Raymond Malta Labour Party Pace Parascandalo, Mauro, Partit Nazzjonalista Sammut, Mario, Partit Nazzjonalista Spiteri, Mark Malta Labour Party
For this third legislation, Cassar Joseph M. was appointed unanimously Mayor for a second term whilst Farrugia Antonia was voted as Deputy Mayor. In August of 1999, Farrugia Saverina resigned from her post and D'Amato Joseph was co-opted as Councillor.
On the 10th of May, 2001, the Mayor, Joe Cassar, passed away. The Mayor, who was born in Zurrieq and journalist by profession, had occupied various public posts, one of which was as President of the Local Civic Council back in 1971, making him the only person to belong to both institutions. He was also Vice President of the Association for Maltese Local Councils and member of the Maltese delegation in the CLRAE of the Council of Europe.
In this absence, Farrugia Antonia was appointed Mayor and Spiteri Mark was appointed Deputy Mayor. Briffa Emmanuel was co-opted as councillor.
On the 19th of March, 2002 the fourth elections were held in Zurrieq. Out of a population of 9,733 there were 7,183 entitled to vote for the fourth council. The following councillors were elected:
For this fourth legislation, Farrugia Ignatius was appointed Mayor, and D'Amato Joseph was appointed Deputy Mayor.
On March, 2005, the Zurrieq community once more expressed its right to vote and elect its fifth Local Council. The turnout was the highest with a 75% vote cast. |