The Labour Party is set to lose one of its diehard mayors, who announced today that he will not seek reelection.  

Birzebbuga Mayor Joseph Farrugia said he will not be contesting the next local council election because of the council’s deteriorating cash problems.

Speaking on an RTK radio show hosted by Tonio Bonello this afternoon, Mr Farrugia also cited the fact that council expenses have increased seven-fold and the fact that the Auditor General has accused the council of running up high debts as reasons for his decision to exit the political scene.

Mr Farrugia has been elected to the Birzebbuga council in every election held since 1994. He obtained 1,361 first count votes in 2012, 2,017 in 2007 and 2,326 in 2004.