Alternattiva Demokratika presents its EP manifesto

During a press conference in Sliema, AD presented the main themes of its manifesto for the European Parliament Election. The green party’s Secretary General Ralph Cassar said that this election was an opportunity for voters to show that they want politicians who will work for a Europe closer to citizens, and politicians who really work in favour of the quality of life of all Maltese and Gozitans.

Cassar added that AD was concerned with issues which make a real difference in the lives of citizens, whereas the other parties were “wasting time in petty squabbles and tit-for-tat politics”, without proposing solutions to important issues.
Deputy Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo explained that AD, with the Green Group in the European Parliament, will work towards a more accountable European Commission and European Central Bank together with the creation of a Commissioner for Smaller Member States.
"We will work towards a greater voice for citizens through the use of referenda on a local and European level. We will work towards the use of cleaner and renewable sources of energy in Malta and Gozo together with a more efficient, accessible and subsidized public transport system,” he said.
"We insist on a social Europe and will work towards resurrecting Eco-Gozo as a means of job creation, lending a helping hand to small and medium sized enterprises, the strengthening of the cooperative model and an economy based on solidarity rather than austerity. Greens are at the forefront of defending digital rights and we will continue working towards the respect of privacy and personal information of Maltese, Gozitan and EU citizens."
Meanwhile, AD Chairperson Prof. Arnold Cassola explained that on immigration AD will work against human trafficking and towards the removal of the Dublin II Convention to make responsibility sharing between all European countries a reality.
"We will work towards the upholding of diversity and against discrimination on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, race and disability, and in favour of equal representation of women in local and EU institutions through affirmative action,” he said.
"We will work towards the setting up of a World Environment Organization, and a waste management strategy that works. We will work against the misappropriation of land, especially on the Maltese coast and countryside, and towards the enforcement of EU directives on the use of water.
"We will work to make the Mediterranean region more protected through a comprehensive strategy that develops the region economically, socially and ecologically."