AD satisfied with result

Alternattiva Demokratika has expressed its satisfaction at the result obtained in Saturday's local council elections.

The Green Party obtained 1.8 per cent on a national level - less than the 3.01 per cent registered three years ago.

However, unlike 2003, AD did not field candidates in Kalkara, Marsascala, Naxxar and San Gwann. But it also lost councillors in Lija and Birkirkara while candidate Ian Meli did not make it in Zabbar.

Addressing a press conference yesterday evening, AD chairman Harry Vassallo said the Green Party had received the reward it had worked for and was gearing up to make residents' voices heard by the country's decision makers.

Flanked by Michael Briguglio - elected to the Sliema council for the second consecutive time - and John Mizzi, elected to the Sannat council, Dr Vassallo said the green party has received an unequivocal positive response from residents despite AD's "disadvantage" when it comes to national media coverage.

The main issues surrounding AD's success in Sliema were the proposed Qui-si-Sana car park which the party has vociferously opposed. Mr Mizzi's election in Sannat came in the context of AD's opposition to the proposed development in Ta' Cenc.

Dr Vassallo said that through Mr Briguglio's election, Sliema residents had emphasised their objection to the way they have been treated by the authorities. He explained that former Birkirkara councillor Mario Mallia and Edward Fenech, who served for the past three years on the Lija council, had not presented themselves for re-election because of their professional commitments. The AD candidates who presented themselves in their stead - David Darmanin and James Camilleri respectively - were less known by residents.

Dr Vassallo said AD had conducted a campaign on local issues and had done very well despite the fact that the party did not have the means to influence the electorate through the media machines. He accused the government of using public funds to print and distribute propaganda leaflets in Sliema on the eve of the election.

Asked if AD could have fielded a second candidate in Sliema given the response from voters in this locality, Dr Vassallo said this had been considered but the party had decided not to do so because it might have split the AD vote.