Cassola elected AD chairman

Arnold Cassola was yesterday elected chairman of Alternattiva Demokratika during the party's extraordinary general meeting called by the executive to discuss the general election results and to elect a new executive committee following the resignation of the party executive.

Outgoing chairman Harry Vassallo thanked those he had worked with during the past nine years and said he had done the best he could considering the party's limited resources.

Dr Vassallo urged AD to remain true to its ideals and said that it was the only party courageous enough to include progressive and ecological issues on its political agenda and was not hostage to any financially-strong lobby. Dr Vassallo added he was not "slamming the door and leaving" as opinion writers had said. He said he wants to see a strong and effective party and urged everyone to give a helping hand.

The members present at the meeting then approved the nominees for the executive committee by secret ballot. Dr Cassola was unanimously approved as the new chairman.

He said AD would continue to make its voice heard - expressing its agreement if it agreed with policies and proposals, but also criticising and offering different solutions where necessary.

Deputy chairman Stephan Cachia described the conclusions of the investigation into the Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando Mistra case as a 'whitewash' - with government employees getting the blame.