News • 6 October 2002

Alternattiva Demokratika launches electoral campaign

By Marika Azzopardi

With election year fast approaching, Alternattiva Demokratika yesterday became the first political party to officially launch its electoral campaign by approving its manifesto which contains no less than 445 proposals.

Talking to MaltaToday during the Green Party’s annual general meeting held yesterday, AD Chairperson Harry Vassallo stressed the importance of the approaching EU referendum and the general election to be held some time next year.

Dr Vassallo said the manifesto focused on the work to be done in the months ahead. "Some people accuse AD of being negative about issues, but our manifesto proves the opposite," he remarked.

The Green Party leader continued: "Presently AD has around 1,000 members, which is quite a high proportion of voters, when compared to the other parties." Asked about the possibility of new party candidates for the general election, Dr Vassallo said that there would certainly be at least two candidates contesting on each district.

The manifesto touches upon controversial issues such as divorce and gay and lesbian cohabitation rights, but it also focuses on other mainstream topics such as taxation, tourism, education and housing.

AD have selected 12 major points as the basis for the forthcoming electoral campaign. The salient points include Malta’s neutrality, the participation of civil society in different structures of administration, equality and social inclusion, changes in methods of taxation and a reform in rent laws.

Dr Vassallo said that the party had already started home visits to relay its message across to the electorate. "We have already begun our campaign of meeting people and asking for the assistance of all members. The manifesto we have introduced is clearer than any before it and sets forth our determination to continue maintaining our ideals and the basic principles that guide the party, " the AD leader concluded.

Economics with a green tint