| Għarb First | |
| Native Name: | Maltese: Għarb l-Ewwel |
| Colorcode: | Black |
| President: | David Apap |
| Secretary: | Miriam Borg |
| Foundation: | March 2019 |
| Ideology: | Għarb localism |
| Country: | Malta |
| Abbreviation: | GĦ1 |
| Colors: | Black |
| Native Name Lang: | mlt |
| Split: | Nationalist Party |
| Position: | Syncretic |
| Religion: | Roman Catholicism (de facto) |
| Leader3 Title: | Treasurer |
| Leader3 Name: | Cecchini Shirley-Anne |
| Seats1 Title: | Mayors of localities |
| Seats2 Title: | Local council seats |
Għarb First (Maltese: Għarb l-Ewwel), is a localist party located in and operating only in Għarb village, Gozo (Republic of Malta). It was founded by former PN Mayor David Apap to contest the 2019 Maltese local elections.[1] It gained 2 seats out of the 5 total seats in the Għarb Local Council, and 42.86% of the popular vote, narrowly losing the popular vote to PL by 1.95%, or 19 votes.[2] [3] This makes Għarb l-Ewwel the first third party to gain representation in the local level in both the Republic of Malta at-large and on the island of Gozo. This also makes David Apap the only mayor of a village that comes from a third party. This was confirmed after a question on who the Mayorship of the Council was solved after the election.[4]
The party has no known official ideologies. However, the party states in its published party statute that it shall work and endeavour to protect in every legitimate way the interests of the Għarb village population, the wellbeing of Għarb and its community and contest the village's local council elections whenever these occur.[5]
Collaboration between the local Catholic parish of the Visitation in Għarb and the Local Council has been seen throughout this term, through the erection of a statue of Sunta Apap near the one of Frenċ tal-Għarb, both people of saintly fame in Għarb.[6] The party statute explicitly states that should the party dissolve, after all creditors are satisfied, any remaining assets shall be donated to said Parish in Għarb.
| Election | Leader | Contested Seats | Votes | % | Elected Seats | +/– | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | David Apap | 417 | 42.86 | New | 2nd | ||
| 2024 | 591 | 56.29 | 1st |