Henrik Piski, Spokesperson of IT and Telecommunication of Alternattiva Demokratika, the Green Party of Malta

Constitutional change should not strengthen 2-party duopoly

henrikpiski — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:33:49 +0000

Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party said that it is bizarre to have the Nationalist and Labour parties being both reported to be open to discuss constitutional change to avoid situations where a government ends up with a one-seat majority in Parliament. AD said that what is needed is real electoral reform so that Malta moves closer to other European democracies.

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, said: “The two-party system is bankrupt, and there is no guarantee that it will lead to stability, even if a party in power has more than a one-seat majority. The Nationalist and Labour parties should read the writing on the wall and join AD in the call for updating Malta’s electoral system so that it can be in line with that of established European democracies. Cross-party stable governments are the norm in the EU.”.

“Whilst AD agrees that candidates should be elected from their respective district, as is the case right now, we are also calling for a national quota for a party to be represented in Parliament. This system would be similar to that of highly-developed democracies such as Germany. In this regard, it is pertinent to note that all countries in Europe, including minnows such as San Marino, have more than two parties in Parliament. Hence, PN and PL should follow the examples of our European counterparts, rather than strengthen the stagnant 2-party system”.

Ralph Cassar, AD General Secretary said: “AD favours stability through real changes in electoral reform not through patch work aimed at accommodating partisan interests of the two parties currently represented in parliament. What is being proposed is another piece of patch work aimed at perpetuating a two party system which is in crisis because both parties know that they cannot hold together the contradictory views of MPs elected on their behalf. Coalitions of parties on agreed programmes ensure more stability and reforms than coalitions of individuals in a 2-party duopoly.”

Prof. Arnold Cassola, AD spokesperson on EU and International Affairs, stated: “It is amazing how this proposal, which originated from Labour’s Michael Falzon, has now been embraced by PN whip David Agius. The hunger for absolute power by a one party government is simply insatiable. Do PN and PL realise that this proposal goes against all basic tents of EU democratic pluralism? Does Malta want to be isolated by its EU partners like its Hungary counterpart because of the arrogance of its Prime Minister Orban? What Malta needs is the widening of pluralism to respect the diversity of Maltese public opinion and not institutionalising further the helplessness of a two party parliament and the arrogance of a one party government”

You will make a difference!

henrikpiski — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:04:50 +0000

Join, donate or help Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party

Dear Friends,

Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party is committed to remain active for social justice, environmental justice and civil rights and to keep speaking up for us all. Your support is crucial.

AD needs your financial help now more than ever. A simple leaflet sent to all households in Malta and Gozo costs around 7000 Euros. Just one
billboard for one month costs around 2000 Euros. Recording electoral video spots professionally will easily cost another 2000 Euros. Are you ready to help AD?

It would really be appreciated if you give a kind donation or make a standing order addressed to Alternattiva Demokratika. Both can easily be done through internet banking or through the post. Cheques can be sent through the post as detailed below.

Ralph Cassar
Secretary General
ralph.cassar@alternattiva.org.mt / info@alternattiva.org.mt

DONATIONS BY POST

Cheques (written out to ‘Alternattiva Demokratika’ can be sent to either:

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Donations can also be made at any BOV branch (just ask to deposit into
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MEPA should demolish illegal boathouses at Armier

henrikpiski — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:06:26 +0000

Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party sad that MEPA should demolish illegal boathouses at Armier, and not sanction them. AD said that such a practice should be consistent with all illegal development. AD demanded the Nationalist and Labour Parties to take a stand on the issue.

Carmel Cacopardo, AD Spokesman on Sustainable Development and Home Affairs said: ”Enemalta’s application for the construction of a substation to service the Armier shanty town should be refused, and MEPA should demolish illegal boathouses. By submitting the application, Enemalta is making a public statement that it supports two weights and two measures. Ignoring the rule of law it wants to appease those who have taken over public property for their own personal use. Enemalta should be condemned without reservation for submitting this application”.

“MEPA should establish without further delay the date when the demolition of the Armier shanty town is to commence”, concluded Cacopardo.

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, said: “Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party endorses the position of environmental NGOs against such development. Unlike other political parties, we are not being held ransom by lobbies who usurp public land for private use. The Nationalist and Labour Parties should immediately declare their position on the issue”.

Party Financing Law will retain political money laundering

henrikpiski — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:08:37 +0000

In reaction to the report of the Council of Europe’s Greco (Group of States against Corruption), AD – The Green Party said that it was unacceptable that the Maltese Government was proposing that party and non-party members would be distinguished from each other as regards donations to parties, AD also agreed with Greco that the proposed ?10,000 threshold for the publication of the names of other donors is to high.

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson said: “Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party believes that donations in excess of Euro 5,000 – irrespective of where they come from – should be declared by political parties and those over Euro 40,000 should be made illegal. In the case of state financing of political parties, we suggested that the state should give all political parties 3 Euro for every vote obtained on a national level, during a general or a European election. “State financing of political parties has been tried and tested in established democracies within the European Union”.”State financing provides transparency and can be coupled with strict regulations such as forcing political parties to have audited accounts. Besides, it is wholly unfair that only large political parties benefit from state funds as is happening now. One should also keep in mind that commercial companies, both private ones and those owned by the politcal parties, donate money to the parties without any control of any sort”.

“AD has been speaking on the need of party financing regulations since 1989, and it had submitted its latest proposals to previous speaker Louis Galea back in 2008, but to date there has been no reform. The fact that the parliamentary select committee is not meeting does not help matters, and only helps sustain the system of political money laundering by PNPL”.

AD’s New Years Greetings

henrikpiski — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:21:38 +0000

In his message for the new year, AD Chairperson Michael Briguglio said: “Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party augurs that in 2012, constitutional reform, as suggested by President George Abela, will truly take place. In this regard we appeal for broad consultation with civil society and for reforms that ensure further democratization”.

“During 2012, AD will be aiming to have local council candidates elected. As Malta’s progressive party, we will keep giving priority to sustainable development, environmental protection, civil rights, a healthy economy and social justice’.

On New Year’s Day, a delegation of AD – The Green Party will be exchanging new year’s greetings with President George Abela and Archbishop Paul Cremona.

The missed opportunity

henrikpiski — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:54:44 +0000

A “European” agreement has been reached on Thursday to safeguard, at least temporarily, the Euro. President Sarkozy and Chancellor Merkel have imposed to the European banks the renunciation of 50% of their exposure on the Greek debts, they have imposed their recapitalisation and an increase to 9 % of their credit security. These banks have now to find the funds on the public market. Governments should only intervene as a last resort, meaning part renationalisation of defaulting banks as already proposed in certain European countries. To secure the survival of the Euro, an effort has been imposed on every member parliament for the ratification of such a measure. Tke Maltese government has been completely silence since a long time on these issues, focussing more on their complete failure in the implementation of the public transport reform.

Ultimately this reached agreement will directly effect the purchase power of its European constituents. It is evident that to sustain financially the euro crises, banks will seek to recover their losses in reducing their credit exposure and rising their fees: the access to credits will be much more difficult to persons and companies. It is evident that a recession is in sight. Governments will follow suit the banks, they will increase the tax burden on the citizens, it has already started in France and Hungary with the planned increase of Vat, thus affecting everyone’s purchase power.

Today, we are witnessing the complete failure of ruling socialist and conservative governments. They are unable to implement and control a European union worth its people, they have shown a complete mismanagement of the eurozone crises where defaulters are not taken to responsibility, where national audits and controls of budgets, expenditures are non existent, where each national governments seek its own interests. It is absolutely non acceptable that the German and French governments head these negotiations and impose their conclusions on all other members, that ultimately model governments and their population have to pay the bills of defaulters. It is evident that the socialist and conservative governments can not be trusted any more, that a change is needed, a real change, a new Green deal, which is not ruled by national and financial interests, but by human interests.

“Why PL should seek a new leadership”

henrikpiski — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 11:42:50 +0000

With Joseph Muscat having taken over the leadership of PL several years ago from Alfred Sant, the hopes were high that the party would recreate itself around new and more up-to-date ideas than under the previous leadership. The former opposition of the party to join the EU for example is still there when one certainly can acknowledge the benefits Malta has gained from it, and I am not talking about the Labour MEPs.

With Joseph Muscat, one would have expected a clear social and economic program, vision and more important, leadership.

Unfortunately the exact opposite has happened.

The party has withstood every important changes to our society: the electoral system has remained unchanged, the party financing law is nowhere to be seen. No initiatives are taken to change these important issues. The same applies to civil liberties: the attitude of PL towards the introduction of divorce was farcical (“free vote”), the position on Gay Lesbians rights is very unclear, the solution for the influx of immigrants very populistic.

No real actions are taken in Parliament for the disastrous introduction of a new public transport system, no voice has been raised against the foreigners bus fees introduction. One can only admire the silence of this progressive party in the face of the financial storm of these days, the future financing of the social services, education. No solutions are shown for the diction of the deficit, the future financing of the health system and the attraction of investments to Malta.

There is no leadership within the PL. The country needs a new leadership, a vision, a change of the morose regime, political pluralism.

The country needs a Green change, Alternattiva Demokratika, the only party able to bring valuable changes to this country, socially, economically and environmentally.

AD Denounces Labour Attempts to Sideline

henrikpiski — Mon, 30 May 2011 10:34:18 +0000

AD Denounces Labour Attempts to Sideline it http://ht.ly/55O83

Alternattiva Demokratika welcomes divorc

henrikpiski — Sun, 29 May 2011 09:47:27 +0000

Alternattiva Demokratika welcomes divorce referendum result http://ht.ly/55myV

I haven’t seen so many nuns on the road

henrikpiski — Sat, 28 May 2011 14:39:58 +0000

I haven’t seen so many nuns on the road since a very long time…