AD wants discussion on coalition government

Alternattiva Demokratika believes that the discussion on a coalition government could, and should, start as of now for the benefit of the electorate and, particularly, those who are unsure whom to vote for.

AD chairman Harry Vassallo said yesterday the next step was in the hands of the other parties, although he understood that they were "highly disadvantaged in that they are formed by an experience of 41 years of a policy that shunned the mere thought of a coalition".

Speaking under the banner of AD's campaign slogan Bil-Vot Tieg?ek Il-Bidla (Your Vote Will Bring About Change), Dr Vassallo said he recognised that the other parties would have difficulty in tackling the coalition discussion. Built on years of conflict between them, they were not structured to work together but to ridicule each other and crush the credibility of any adversary and potential political colleague.

"We made it easy for them, outlining our agenda as clearly as possible so that if they find in themselves the political innovation required, they can make the first step right now," Dr Vassallo said, underlining the importance of the country's preparation for the idea of a new coalition.

At the same time, he admitted that AD was not so sure the political parties would be able to think with "the new mentality that would be required in a short while. So our priorities are likely to be negotiated after the elections.

Dr Vassallo said he would like the country to visualise the moment when the electoral results would mean that a coalition would have to be formed, as has been the case in other countries.

In the upcoming election, there could be a situation of peace and quiet, where, for the first time in 40 years, one party would not go out celebrating or, rather, deriding the party that lost.

"In a few weeks' time, we could be experiencing a new political era in the country where no one is a winner or a loser," Dr Vassallo said.

Coalition talks would mean working to have a serious government and whoever took part would have to aim at offering a service to all the Maltese, Dr Vassallo said.

AD has had this idea for 18 years and was equipped with background and first-hand experience in coalition negotiations on an international level, he said, adding that it wanted to expand this culture in Malta. The time had come to move away from the past and understand the need for a coalition mentality - not just in the government but in every aspect of life.

"From this election onwards, we need to adopt a new mentality that requires seeking allies and others we do not know, or we do not necessarily agree with, to work together," Dr Vassallo said, recognising the difficult challenge of introducing a completely new mentality.

With regard to the electoral manifesto launched on Saturday, he said AD had approved it years ago and that it still stood today. The Green party was still bound by the 450 proposals listed there.