If Prime Minister Robert Abela genuinely believes in democracy, then the residents of Għargħur should be given the opportunity to express their will once again through a new election, the Nationalist Party has said.

Speaking at a press conference held at the PN's Dar Ċentrali, the General Secretary of the PN Charles Bonello said that the "blatant attack on democracy that took place in Għargħur yesterday was orchestrated by Labour Party officials and executed with the help of their Councillors in the locality. This places full responsibility for what occurred squarely on the shoulders of Labour Party leader Robert Abela."

Charles Bonello also referred to "misleading comments made by Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli, who tried to draw false comparisons between the situation in Ħal Għargħur and the outcomes of Local Council elections in Floriana and Ħaż-Żebbuġ."

The PN Secretary General expressed concern that the very Parliamentary Secretary responsible for Local Councils "is attempting to justify an attack on democracy within those same Councils she is meant to protect. Even more concerning is the fact that, after three years in office, she appears not to understand how the local council system operates."

 "It is common knowledge that a majority of 62% in a Council leaves no room for interpretation, and it can never justify a party with less than 38% of the vote attempting to take control."

 "What Labour did yesterday in Għargħur clearly shows the contempt it has for the electorate's will," the PN said.

"In the two localities referenced by Zerafa Civelli, neither the Labour Party nor the PN obtained an absolute majority of votes. In Żebbuġ, there was consensus that the independent candidate with the most votes should become Mayor, and agreement with PN councillors that the second most voted candidate, from Labour, would become Deputy Mayor. In Floriana, where the candidate who obtained most votes was a PN candidate, after the independent candidate failed to reach an agreement with Labour, he joined a coalition with the PN."

 "Anyone who manipulates the system so that a candidate with few votes seizes the Mayor's seat from someone who achieved an absolute majority has no credibility to speak about democracy. The Labour Party has lost all democratic credentials."

Helen Gauci, who was Mayor of Għargħur prior to this attack on democracy, also addressed the press conference. She stated that on Mariah Meli's first day as unelected Mayor, the Local Council remained shut. "This happened because, in a move to undermine the Council's functioning, Labour Councillors continued to oppose the hiring of urgently needed staff over the past week. As a result, residents were left without an operational council."

Helen Gauci said that if there are allegations against her, she is still waiting for them to be substantiated.