Salvaging third party politics

Saviour Balzan argues that Alternattiva Demokratika needs to be salvaged and a new leader found

Saviour Balzan 23 May 2013, 12:00am

2 min read

I never lost interest in Alternattiva or Third party politics. Even though over 16 years have passed since I decided to quit.

Really and truly I never lost interest in something I gave birth to, and always believed in. It was born in April 1989 in a small house in Mdina Road in Naxxar.

And yes it was never meant to be a pressure group but a political party that threatened the political base. In all these years the party was always ignored and ridiculed by the two parties.

Has the Green party contributed positively to the political discourse in this country?

Bloody hell it has. And it has changed more than one can truly imagine.

But it is sad to hear that there is a serious problem in finding a leader to lead the party. I am sorry it has come to this. More so, after after such a decent result in the March election.

I am saddened by the 'posers' who lecture on what Alternattiva Demokratika should do and and not do.

It was also wrong for the former Chairman Michael Brigulio to have abandoned the Green Party suddenly without seeing a proper transition. And no matter what he says, his sudden departure caused more harm than good to the 'Green ideal.'

Do we need a third party?
Yes we do.

We also need a third party that should and can fill the segment vacated on the left of Maltese politics. A party that respects the aspirations of those voters who are more concerned by the issues than 'what is in it for me.'

We also need a party that stands for liberal issues, that queries the duopoly that continues to dominate the structures of our so-called parliamentary democracy. And that offers an alternative to those who cannot distinguish between the two party system.

The Greens need to find a youthful and mature leader, someone who will transform their political platform into something credible and realistic. Someone charismatic, assertive but not self-centred.

And more importantly someone with no baggage.

Someone who understands what being populist is all about, without losing one's principles.

I personally support every or any attempt to salvage third party green politics in Malta. This country needs it and our democracy needs to have a small 'idealistic' and untarnished political grouping that keeps the two political giants on their toes.

It is high time, that the 'political exhibitionists' stop talking and start by supporting someone who can do the job.

I for one am just doing that. If you think the same way I do, just say so.

Founder and co-owner of MaltaToday, Saviour Balzan has reported on Maltese politics and...

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mikegatt3, I agree 100 per cent Laboristi are not of a lesser God that is way they are replacing the lesser Gods of past. After all it seem Malta taghna ukoll.

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Well done Dr. Muscat because the Laboristi are not of a lesser God

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Well done Dr. Muscat because the Laboristi are not of a lesser God

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Well done Dr. Muscat because the Laboristi are not of a lesser God

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Well done Dr. Muscat because the Laboristi are not of a lesser God

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With the Green Party in Malta ,I have hope that Malta green environment will grow,but if they quit ,than I don't even bother to vote any more,due to the other parties are the same now.The AD should focus more to the center left.The other parties are both in favor of the rich people. The rich have to remember that they are rich because the poor people make them rich.

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Even though I have always voted for the Partit Laburista and I am a convinced socialist, I must say that I have always admired the policies that were advocated by the Alternattiva, except for the full membership of the EU since I am also a convinced EU sceptic. I was sad to hear of Dr Brigulio's resignation - an act I never understood. I fully endorse your article, Mr Balzan. Let's just hope that Alternattiva finds a decent leader, equivalent to Dr Brigulio.

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Saviour what good does it do for Maltese politics to have a third party when the electorate laws in the Maltese Constitution continue to discriminate against it. Part of the blame has to be shouldered by the Democratic Alternative itself, because in all these years of existence they have never succeeded to amend the electorate laws. This party should have been sitting in the Maltese parliament after the last 2 general elections and especially after this last one. When the distributions of parliamentary seats are rewarded according to the popular vote representation, the AD should have been in the forefront to claim their justified seat. It is a sad situation and unless enough interest is shown by the Maltese electorate to change this course of discriminating against the third party, then it is hopeless to try and win a parliamentary seat that will give the AD a voice in Maltese politics.

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Partit avangardista u liberalista qatt ma se jiehu ruh fil-kamp politiku hawn Malta. Il-Maltin huma imdejqa bil-mod kif iz-zeqwg partiti jaqblu bil-mohbi ghalkemm jidhri jiggieldu fid-deher. Il-Maltin iridu min jikxef il-korruzzjoni, iktar transparenza, u iktar nies fil-poter accountable; Ghalhekk min se ikun leader tat-tielet partit irid ikun fighter ghad-drittijiet taz-zghir u hallina mill-Gays ghax dawk jibqghu abnormali u ghalxejn tghid favurijhom.Ghaliex int, Sur Balzan qabbadtha il-Malta Today? Ghax tikxef il-hazen.

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I would say that the last election has produced a new silent party of over 25000 voters who hold the tip over balance over who gets elected. Contrary to other countries where loss of faith in politicians has resulted in apathy and people voting with their feet,here in a more democratic way voters switched to the PL. However if they are not satisfied with what the PL manages to achieve they might just as easily switch as a massed group to the PN. At some stage they will realize their power and will not be content to remain the tipping silent voice who at most express their feelings through media polls, At that stage they will start demanding that their aspirations are satisfied and if neither of the two parties satisy their requests it is from their ranks that a new exciting leader and a formal new party will emerge.

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I read your full stand of your support for the greens and I must say I agree on must of your writeup. However this particular group of fine people with all good intentions most do not show the material of our local double talk politicians. Our politicians of both parties change with the wind and that is good for them to get elected. Some ideas of the local green party should be said more friendly to the people just like when a parent tell his child medicine make you strong or when one call someone he is not saying the truth rather than calling him a liar. I have been active in both parties and shy away because I found their way of doing things sell but they do things with malice. Our local green attract new comers but the selling is really a lot to be desired. Still wish them well.