Marlene Farrugia elected leader in Democratic Party's first AGM

The future of the Democratic Party (PD), spearheaded by by independent MP Marlene Farrugia, seemed more secure Friday evening, after the party – in its first ever Annual General Meeting – elected the party officials and the members of the executive council.

Farrugia, who was elected party leader, confirmed after the meeting that she had been approached by the Nationalist Party, and had in fact met twice with opposition leader Simon Busuttil, to discuss the possibility of the PD joining forces with the PN in the next general elections.

She also confirmed that the PD will be fielding candidates in the next election and that she will be contesting as party leader.

“Yes, I was approached the PN about the possibility of our two parties working together, but I have always – even in my two meetings with Simon Busuttil – insisted that I could not make a commitment since the PD would be formally electing its executive council on 21 October (today).”

Farrugia said she had told the PN that the PD executive council would discuss the question of whether to work with the PN and that any serious discussion would have to take place after that decision had been taken.

She said that although she had already expressed her opinion that opposition parties should present a united and compact front in order to offer an attractive alternative to the present government.

“I could not make a decision myself, and although I had informed other party members about being approached by the PN, it is only today that we have officially elected our executive and established the party’s formal structure,” she said.

“The executive will be meeting next week to discuss this matter and we will then decide how to proceed with the PN.”

Farrugia said that she had every intention of contesting the next election as leader of the PD, but added the party was yet to determine whether to try and field at least one candidate in every district.

“But I can confirm that I have already been approached by a number of people – even from outside the party – who have expressed their interest in contesting the next election on our ticket,” she said.

Democratic Party leader Marlene Farrugia with other elected members of the executive council

Besides officially electing Farrugia party leader and chairperson of the executive council, the AGM also elected Dr Anthony Busuttil (deputy head), Karl Camilleri (general secretary), Ing. Duncan Bonnici (treasurer) and Monique Agius (PRO).

Prof. Matthew Montebello, Lorraine Farrugia, Alex Clayman and Carmel Polidano were elected to the executive council.

25 party members cast their votes in the election, which set a two-year term for the officials.

Farrugia said that the party will now kick into motion and, come Monday, she and other party officials will start going door to door on house visits.

Earlier, Farrugia had taken to Facebook to urge those who had supported the setting up of the PD to gather at her house in Qrendi to vote for the positions within the party.

The PD has already lost TV personality Salvu Mallia to the PN and Marco Cremona, who was appointed interim secretary-general, has also left the party over its lack of policy direction.

On Facebook, Farrugia reflected on how the country, three years ago, had voted for change and “sincere governance”.

“We know today that these were all empty promises and instead of a government for all, we have a government that made pre-electoral deals. As a member of the Labour parliamentary group, I tried pushing for change until I had to leave because I could no longer turn a blind eye to how this government was treating its citizens.

“As an independent MP, I worked and pushed for the creation of a new political force from within the citizens, without the strings of partisan politics.”

The Qrendi MP said that a lot of meetings and small activities were held among those who had become interested in a new political party.

“Many came and gave up on fighting for what they’ve believed in. We are now at a point where we have to decide whether we’re formalising this party or not.”

Bluntly, Farrugia had said that Friday’s ‘annual general meeting’ could also mark the first and last AGM of the PD, if the members did not turn up.

“Tonight we will know what the people want. Whatever happens, my conscience is clean that I have tried to make a difference. This is not ‘Marlene’s party’ … I just wanted to serve as the catalyst for a wave of change.”

On Friday evening, Farrugia had her reply as members turned up to elect the party officials and formally establish the party’s structrure.

The PD, which Farrugia has insisted should not be referred to as “Marlene’s party”, has also submitted its registration form to the Electoral Commission.