Michael Briguglio

Michael Briguglio (born March 29, 1975) is a Maltese sociologist, drummer, activist and Green local councillor.

Academia

Michael Briguglio has a Doctorate in Sociology, and he lectures at the University of Malta. His main sociological research interests are politics, social movements, environment, culture and social policy, and he has published various academic papers.

Music

Michael is an experienced rock/metal drummer with Norm Rejection (which he co-founded in 1994) and Malta Dio Disciples (which he co-founded in 2012) in the Maltese music scene. His drumming features in various albums and EPs, most notably with Norm Rejection and Dripht. He has also played and recorded with Filletti & Friends, Peklectrick and NV.

Political

Briguglio co-founded Moviment Graffitti in 1994 and joined Zminijietna - Voice of the Left in the same year. He co-founded and was active in various environmental, social and civil rights campaigns in Malta, including the successful Front Against the Rabat Golf Course (1999-2004) and the 'Yes' movement for the introduction of divorce (2010-2011). He is currently a leading activist in environmental citizens' movement 'Front Harsien ODZ' (2015-).

Briguglio first contested elective office with Democratic Alternative (AD - The Green Party) in 2003.[1] While failing to be elected to the House of Representatives, he was elected to the Sliema Local Council.[2]

In 2009 Briguglio was the only candidate for the post of Party chairperson vacated by Arnold Cassola who resigned after the Party’s dismal result in the European Parliament election held in June that year. Briguglio was elected unanimously.[3] Briguglio was elected in Sliema Local Council in 2003, 2006, 2012 and 2013. In 2013, Briguglio became received the highest ever-number 1st preference votes of an AD candidate in general elections (741 - 10th District) and in Sliema Local Council elections (727, winning 8.2 per cent of votes).

Under his leadership, AD achieved its best electoral result ever, winning 5,506 first count votes (1.8 per cent) in the 2013 general election. AD also started to re-elect local councillors and the party set the ball rolling for the formation of the Yes Movement which eventually resulted in a referendum victory for the introduction of divorce in Malta.

After the 2013 General Election Briguglio stated he wouldn't recontest leadership. Arnold Cassola succeeded him after he was elected in the Annual General meeting of the party.

In 2015 Michael Briguglio co-founded 'Front Harsien ODZ', a citizens' movement active in environmental matters in relation to land development The Front held Malta's largest ever environmental protest on June 20 during the same year.[4]

In 2016 Michael Briguglio co-founded Civil Society Network (Malta), an autonomous organisation with Green/Left, pro-EU, pro-Good Governance, pro-Civil Liberties principles.

Briguglio is a weekly columnist in the Times of Malta.

References

  1. ↑ "Alphabetical List of All Candidates, 1921 - 2008". MaltaData.com. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
  2. ↑ "Sliema (59) - Councils Election 2003". Department of Information (Malta). 2003-03-11. Retrieved 2010-04-20.
  3. ↑ "Laqgha Generali Annwali ta' AD - Chairperson gdid". Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party. 2009-10-31. Retrieved 2010-04-20.
  4. ↑ https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/129250

External links

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