Updated | Democratic Party candidates to run on PN ticket

The details being ironed out between the Nationalist Party and the Democratic Party will result in the PD candidates running under the PN banner, as a solution is being found on how to distinguish between candidates from the two parties.

A spokesperson for the PN confirmed that the two sides have edged closer to a final discussion on how the PN and the PD could run for elections together.

The most likely option would see the PD candidates distinguishing themselves through the use of the ‘Orange Party’ nickname on the voting document.

Former Alternattiva Demokratika chairperson Michael Briguglio argued that this was the only way for small party candidates to successfully contest elections.

“Unless there is a rupture in Maltese politics (which I am not seeing), this is the only way for small party candidates to stand a chance for parliamentary election. To date, nobody has proposed an alternative realistic method for small party candidates to face a chance. Grumbling and pontificating won't get one anywhere,” he said, in reaction to the news.

However, the current deputy chairperson of the Green Party, Carmel Cacopardo argued that the PD’s “capitulation is now complete”.

Cacopardo recounted a conversation he had with PD leader Marlene Farrugia a few weeks ago, during which she reportedly told him that talks with the PN were still at their infancy.

According to Cacopardo, Farrugia said that they couldn’t agree on a way forward because the PN wanted to absorb the PD, whilst the PD candidates were refusing the proposal.

“It looks like she has now given in. The capitulation is now complete. The Democratic Party will soon disappear,” he said, adding that Farrugia would now live in the illusion that she could change the PN from within.

“There are those who argue that is the only way forward for small parties. My reply is simple and clear: Alternattiva Demokratika is not interested in this option.”

Meanwhile, the Labour Party has issued a sarcastically-worded statement in which it congratulated the PN, which now had “two leaders”. In a terse reply, the PN said the Labour Party was being led by “Keith Schembri, Konrad Mizzi and Dr Egrant”.

The post uploaded on Facebook by PD leader Marlene Farrugia

Earlier, with coloured hearts accompanying her Facebook post, the PD leader posted an eCard reading: ‘Get you a man who’s young enough to entertain, old enough to lead, strong enough to provide, thug enough to protect and mature enough to STEP UP.’

The message was used to described the coalition between the two parties.

“I’m the 'thug enough to protect, mature enough to step up' part; Dr Simon Busuttil is the rest,” she wrote.

In her own words, Busuttil would be the man “who’s young enough to entertain, old enough to lead and strong enough to provide”.

“We can teach him anything he doesn’t yet know [fejn ma jafx nghallmuh, ibzax],” Farrugia commented underneath her post.

The PD leader expressed her confidence in the coalition’s ability to dethrone the Labour government.

“We will secure a victory for all Maltese and Gozitans, a victory that will last for an entire legislature, not a victory that is snuffed out the very week after the election,” she said.

Yesterday, the PN said that talks with the PD were at an advanced stage and the two discussed policies of common interest. These included a sustainable economy, social justice, environment and the renewal of the Constitution.

Talks between the two sides kicked off following Busuttil’s Independence Day speech when he called for “a national coalition against corruption”.