Outspoken Xagħra Labour mayor resigns

Christian Zammit has been known for being outspoken on Gozo’s environment and opposing overdevelopment on the island.

Considering he had been active in the party and in politics for 23 years, his decision was of course difficult, Zammit wrote, adding that “the time has come to get out of the way”.

In June 2022, Zammit claimed that the construction industry had run a “scaremongering campaign” to “eliminate” him, leading to his dismal general election result earlier last year.

Zammit also backed Qala Mayor Paul Buttigieg’s “honest crusade” to preserve Gozo, especially Ħondoq ir-Rummien bay which had been earmarked for vast development.

Christian Zammit has recently called for an electoral system reform that encourages people who are not associated with political parties to run for local council elections.

He also said that the tribalistic attitude to politics in the country was preventing people from running for local council.