AD seeks role against 'arrogant' lobby groups

Alternattiva Demokratika's presence in the next parliament would be a guarantee that the government would not succumb to "arrogant" lobby groups, Arnold Cassola, AD candidate for the 9th and 11th districts, said yesterday.

Dr Cassola said Armier was a "symbol of the PN and MLP helplessness" before these lobby groups.

He said governments over the last 20 years had been spineless when dealing with them. They had bowed down to the hunters and the present government had surrendered to the arrogance of boathouse owners.

These minorities had used their power to blackmail governments with their vote, which was resulting in a democratic deficit because they were imposing their will on the majority.

"We cannot stand silent when the government changes the rules of the game, instead of enforcing the rule of law."

The solution to the boathouse problem was clear to AD, which had been saying for 13 years that these illegal squatters should be evicted and the area restored to its natural state.

"The Maltese coastline belongs to the entire country and not to a few individuals. Public access to it is already undermined by tourist development, yacht marinas and private beaches, which are encroaching on it."

Donations to AD's Green Ribbon campaign may be made via a blank SMS to 618100 for Lm2, or sent to Alternattiva Demokratika, 10 Manwel Dimech Street, Sliema.