Q&A | A party of ideas that takes the lead | Silvan Agius

What is your background and how did you get involved in politics?

I am a graduate in anthropology, and hold a Masters degree in human rights and democratisation. During my youth I was involved in various Maltese social movements that addressed environmental and social justice issues. Later, I worked for the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality, and around five years ago moved to Brussels, where I now work in the sphere of equality and human rights at European level.

On the political front, I contested my first election for Alternattiva Demokratika at the age of 22, at local council level in Naxxar and did well, obtaining 5.4% of first preference votes. In fact, in spite of my being a young debutant, I had stayed in the race until the last count, losing for a handful of votes. I then went on to contest the 2003 General Elections for the party on the 12th District.

Why AD?

Alternattiva Demokratika is the party of ideas and the party that takes the lead, even on issues that are not yet very popular with the electorate. This is illustrated through the fact that AD was the first party to call for the introduction of divorce legislation way back in 1989 - 22 years before it was finally introduced! Similarly, the party has campaigned for the protection of the natural environment, wildlife and the use of renewable energy well ahead of the other parties. AD is also the progressive choice regarding civil rights, social justice and the enhancement of democracy.

What will you bring to the table?

As an Alternattiva Demokratika MP I would follow the party's manifesto rigorously and support proposals and amendments in full respect of our electoral promises. I would thus surely invest my energy on the improvement of the democratic process in the country, for example through proposals towards a reform of the electoral law, the adoption of an adequate party financing law and the establishment of an anti-corruption mechanism. I would also give a lot of attention to the setting of high national human rights standards, and the mainstreaming of equality across all government structures to ensure that all can fully participate in society, irrespective of their sex, religion or belief, race or ethnic origin, age, sexual orientation, disability or any other status or characteristic.

AD supports gay marriage, while PN and PL are talking about civil partnerships and civil unions respectively. Why is AD the only party to fully support MGRM's proposals, including gay marriages and adoptions?

Alternattiva Demokratika supports diversity, minority rights and equality in general. We consistently support positive policy measures and legislative progress to ensure that everyone in society is able to lead his or her life free from discrimination.

AD's support to marriage equality for all - gay or straight - including the provision of parenting rights stems from that same AD core principle. We believe that all families should enjoy the protections and obligations provided by law, and that the State has no business telling people who they should fall in love with or with whom they may form a family.

Since the Netherlands introduced marriage equality in 2001, several countries have followed, and not one of them has reverted its legislation. Several others like France, the United Kingdom and Finland are in the process of amending their marriage laws to include same-sex couples too. Alternattiva Demokratika believes that there is no reason for Malta not to follow this model and make it possible for same-sex partners to marry, thus guaranteeing equality to all couples irrespective of their sexual orientation.

Regarding adoptions, our position is consistent and based on human rights principles and a body of scientific data. Many forget that same-sex parenting already exists in Malta. The question therefore is: why should they remain outside the scope of the law, when all credible research conducted on the matter shows that gay and lesbian parents are no different than heterosexual parents? Indeed, the American Psychologists Association in a resolution that it adopted almost 10 years ago stated that: "There is no scientific evidence that parenting effectiveness is related to parental sexual orientation: lesbian and gay parents are as likely as heterosexual parents to provide supportive and healthy environments for their children." 

Once again, the number of European countries that recognise same-sex couples as parents is increasing, due to the fact that there is no basis for the continuation of discrimination on the matter, as well as the fact that the impact of the absence of recognition is greatest on the children themselves.

In short, Alternattiva Demokratika's position is consistent with scientific data and modern human rights standards alike, and we are proud to fully embrace MGRM's proposal.

Labour is portraying itself as the progressive movement and is cosying up to the gay community while the PN is claiming it will not intrude in people's personal lives. Are these claims of inclusiveness credible?

It is positive to witness the growing shift in the Maltese political landscape with regard to LGBT equality. However, we cannot forget that in spite of its claims, the PN administration has a very poor track record on LGBT issues. Moreover, their claim that sexual orientation is a private issue is both untrue and hypocritical. As we all know, the personal is political, and the status quo disadvantages gay and lesbian couples and individuals in their private, professional and public lives.

When it comes to PL, the situation is different. They have done their homework and proposed measures that would increase equality for LGBT people. Nonetheless, the party stopped short of elaborating what it means by civil partnerships and the different rights that it intends to attach to them. This is critical, as some registered partnership laws in Europe only offer a weak level of protection, omitting important rights related to taxation, inheritance and family benefits. Furthermore, PL has not yet made clear whether it will demand all of its MPs to follow the party line or whether it intends to provide them with a free vote on this issue. 

AD has repeatedly called for the decriminalisation of drugs for personal use. Do you think this proposal will be received by the electorate or is it a step too far?

As you rightly stated, Alternattiva Demokratika is calling for the decriminalisation of drugs for personal use. However, we are not in favour of the legalisation of drugs and thus continue to consider trafficking as a crime.

In a nutshell, we are saying that the current 'war on drugs' needs a thorough overhaul as it has not delivered and in spite of official claims, drugs are readily available for those that want to buy them. The 'war on drugs' increased incarceration of several people who need support instead. Even when drug users are not imprisoned, they may be impacted through job loss, or a tainted police conduct.

In Portugal, drugs were decriminalised in 2000. The money that was saved from prosecution and imprisonment of users, is now invested in prevention, treatment and harm reduction with such a resounding success that no political party wants to go back on to the pre-decriminalisation legislation.  

Given AD's slim chances of getting elected, what is the party trying to achieve? What has kept the party going for all these years?

I need to comment on what you called "AD's slim chance of getting elected." Many state this but fail to ask why. The truth is that our democracy is flawed, favouring a bipartisan system due to unnecessary division of the national territory into 13 districts and the absence of a sensible national minimum quota. In spite of this hurdle, Alternattiva Demokratika continues to campaign for greater democracy in Malta, and for the environment protection, sustainable use of resources, equality and social justice, and politics by consensus. 

What has been and what is AD's contribution to the political scene?

Even though it was not yet represented in parliament, Alternattiva Demokratika's contribution to Maltese politics is significant. AD is a forward thinking party and we have supported the entry of Malta into the European Union and as I mentioned earlier campaigned for the introduction of divorce legislation in Malta since the day the party was founded in 1989. Prior to AD, the environment was greatly neglected by the Maltese political class.

What do you make of BLM's campaign for the elections? Do you think it is provocative? Reacting to Labour's slogan 'Malta for all', AD has also said that a Labour government should return Armier to the Maltese. Do you think the electorate feels strongly about these issues?

I applaud Birdlife Malta for their campaign and wish that other social and environmental movements used the elections to raise their issues and demands too, as civil society organisations have an important role to play in Maltese politics.

As regards Armier and other locations plagued by boathouses and illegal constructions, the silence of the other parties is scandalous. However, AD will not give up and will continue to campaign to ensure that the law is applied to everyone equally, fairly and squarely.

Many in Malta are fed up about the situation regarding illegal hunting, illegal boathouses and other blatant breaches of the law that go unpunished. Hopefully, they will keep their dissatisfaction in mind when they vote on 9th March. 

How would you rate the electoral campaign of AD, PN and Labour so far?

I believe this that question is better suited for the reader and hence I'll refrain from commenting on it. This said, I appeal to the voters, especially those who remain undecided, to see past the billboards and the slogans and focused their attention on the proposals in the manifestos of the parties. Malta needs a substantial change in the way politics are done for all of us to move forward as a truly modern European country.