in local council elections, Alternattiva Demokratika has said it wants to be involved.

The first story was carried by this newspaper last week in which sources were quoting saying that the parties were discussing the possibility that the three batches of 22, 22 and 23 local councils are reduced by one batch.

As a result of this measure, the Gozitan and Maltese local councils would have their elections once every four years.

In another story on this newspaper the following day, the Nationalist Party and the Malta Labour Party secretaries-general said the parties were considering all options: either retaining the present system, reducing one of the batches and increasing the term of one legislature to four years.

The third and final option is having all 68 councils in one batch with their elections being held once every five years.

Yesterday, Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party said it did not want to be left out of the talks, adding that it should be involved in discussions on changes in the way local council elections are held.

In a statement, AD secretary-general Stephen Cachia said: “AD has four elected councillors and has consistently contested the last three rounds of local elections.

“By excluding AD from these talks, the other two parties are ignoring a significant part of the electorate which is reflected in local election results during the past three years.”

He continued: “AD agrees with changes which would decrease partisan rivalry in local elections. The current system of annual electoral tests has negative consequences on the economy and the running of the country. On the other hand, all changes should be made after discussions involving the three political

parties.”