Harry Vassallo, leader of Alternattiva Demokratika, this morning expressed disappointment at Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando's "involvement in the obscene Mistra case" saying this episode further eroded the government's environment credentials.

Addressing party members, Dr Vassallo said this week's general election was the chance for voters to release the grip of single party government. Whatever the other parties said, it would be the people to decide if Malta should have a coalition government, he said, and that, indeed, was the norm in many European countries.

Dr Vassallo referred to the granting of a permit for a supermarket outside the development zone in Safi and the subsequent resignation of the relevant Development Control Commission. He said AD was in contact with the general party Die Grunen so that they could inform the supermarket chain Lidl of the development, since Lidl were meant to run the new supermarket and this company gave a lot of importance to corporate social responsibility.

The AD leader said he was disappointed at Dr Pullicino Orlando's involvement in the Mistra case, given his useful opposition to plans for a waste dumb near Mnajdra and the cement plant near Siggiewi.

AD in a coalition government would act to prevent cases such as that at Safi and at Mistra from developing, he said.