'Main political parties are financed by big business' - Cassola

At an AD press conference held in Santa Venera, Arnold Cassola AD's spokesperson for International and European affairs deplored the manner in which both the PN and the PL appear to be cosying up to business magnates.

"Maltese political parties are financed by big business. This is a distortion of democracy. Are we to be surprised when we get stories like MaltaToday's on the oil kickbacks over the past 20 years. Are we to be surprised if eventually other kickback stories were to emerge in the press," Cassola questioned.

"We need AD in parliament not only because our proposals are serious, effective and doable, but also to check on the arrogance of this two party system.  People have now become accustomed to doing whatever they want whenever they are in power," Cassola said.

Arnold Cassola also queried the "election supermarket discount scheme" by both major parties.

Michael Briguglio said that the auctioneering style politics being pursued by both parties is unacceptable, "especially when you see that both parties are in the pockets of the big developers.

He denounced both the PN and PL for giving "second-division status" to issues such as water, quality of air and environmental protection.

"AD is insisting that MEPA is led by persons truly committed to environmental protection and sustainable development. In parliament, we will insist that board members and top officials should undergo a public screening process through parliament, and be examined in public on their experience and qualifications, and not on party affiliation," Briguglio said.

He also said that nominations for civil society on the MEPA board should come directly from the

AD's local candidate for Santa Venera Philip Cachia said that if elected, he would work for greater use of alternative energy where needed, and the monitoring of air quality and noise pollution, as well as refurbished pavements and sidewalks.

He also pointed out the lack of accessibility to the Santa Venera council, made all the more poignant given the close proximity of the national commission for persons with a disability.