Green Party heads expose public feast disagreement online

Talk about crossed lines. The Green Party’s deputy chairperson Carmel Cacopardo has rubbished an idea to move vacation days on public holidays and religious feasts to Mondays, which chairperson Arnold Cassola himself boasted as a “good idea” first mooted by Alternattiva Demokratika itself.

Both AD officials issued contradictory statements on Facebook, with Cassola welcoming the idea proposed by Labour MP Franco Mercieca as a “proposal put forward by AD already a few years ago” – having holidays happening in mid-week to be enjoyed on a Monday “to ensure a longer weekend; better quality holiday, better for the economy, no disruption of factory works... Prosit Franco Mercieca.”

Cassola’s deputy Cacopardo was less diplomatic about his disagreement, dubbing the idea “stupid”.

“Mercieca knows that some public feasts are tied to traditional religious feasts and must be celebrated on their day proper, like St Paul’s, St Joseph’s, Imnarja, Santa Marija, and Victory Day. He also forgot the Conception on 8 December. What’s left? 1 January. Can you see us celebrate that on 29 December instead? Or celebrating May Day on 27 April? Or Christmas on 21 December.

“Mercieca obviously doesn’t know what he’s saying. Maltese public feasts are all tied to a particular day. Moving them does not make sense.”