AD sees 'tremendous' growth in support

An independent report by two British academics gives Alternattiva Demokratika a "tremendous" increase of 850 per cent in its votes in less than a year since the April 12, 2003 general election, AD said.

As of yesterday AD would be expected to poll 5.9 per cent of the first count vote in the European elections, which is 5.2 per cent more than in the last general election.

According to the report, the Nationalist Party would get 52.9 per cent and the Labour Party 41.2 per cent of the votes.

The study was drawn up by Simon Hix, of the London School of Economics and Political Sciences, and Michael Marsh of Trinity College.

AD chairman Harry Vassallo said this professional and independent report was proving what was being experienced daily in Malta. The Maltese people were daily realising the importance of having AD elected to the European parliament, he added.

The Times reported yesterday that the study predicted that the PN would elect three members to the European parliament, with the MLP electing the remaining two. AD would elect none, the report predicts.