'AD's voice on party funding must be heard'
Alternattiva Demokratika should also have a voice in discussions on party financing in the Parliamentary Select Committee the government and the opposition have agreed to set up in order to discuss the strengthening of democracy, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said.
Dr Muscat believed it was very important that the government accepted the principle that discussions were not completely confined to the parliamentary framework but that there would be space for society, trade unions and employers' associations, giving as an example the participation of AD in talks on party financing.
The Parliamentary Select Committee had an ambitious agenda, which, with goodwill on everyone's part, could still be realised, he maintained.
The setting up of the committee was an important achievement for the MLP, which would have the same number of members as the government. The committee was set up without any pre-conditions. "No one gave up anything to start these discussions," Dr Muscat said.
The road ahead was not easy and there would be moments when the two sides would not agree. Nevertheless, the country would be able to register new developments in the strengthening of democracy.
Dr Muscat also described as positive the fact that the Prime Minister said the themes for discussion would not be linked to each other but treated independently.
Moreover, there would be discussions aimed at finding solutions for cases of injustice that the government had left pending in recent years, Dr Muscat noted.
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J. Borg
Jul 21st 2008, 20:16
Mr.C. Camilleri.....let's repeat again....
What is disgusting is the blatant manipulation that your beloved GonziPN has made of the electoral law (16% threshold) and gerrymandering of districts (Swieqi/Sliema), as the poor PN believed it was in the National(IST) interest to have Dr. Alfred Sant as PM rather than take the chance of "allowing" voters express their support for AD.
What is also disgusting is that your GonziPN 'attacked' AD by campaigning about a "wasted vote" that the PN itself had so democratically planned.
What is now revolting is having the wannabe PN gurus like Mr. C. Camilleri, striving so earnestly to label AD as being the voice of nobody.
Well if this is so Mr. C. Camilleri.....what's your obession about AD....have a break....and enjoy your utopian life under a GonziPN bonanza!
Any finally if the PN is going into electoral reform discussions claiming it seeks to enhance democracy and proportionate representation - they can pull the other one.....we know them better by now.
Dr. John Zammit
Jul 21st 2008, 18:32
I think Charles Camilleri is still living in the past. He does not know that in the European Union there are seven different political groups and that the European Parliament finance the European Parliament Election campaign by giving finance to each group. That is how it should be in Malta too. I represent the Liberal Party in Malta the ELDR/ALDE who are the third largest political group with more than 100 members of the European Parliament, much more than the Greens and much more than the difference between the EPP (PN) and PES (MLP). So I agree that discussions should be between the PN, MLP, AD, AN and ALDM (that's us)
- Dr. John Zammit - Leader Alleanza Liberal-Demokratika Malta www.freewebs.com/liberalall
Miriam Galea
Jul 21st 2008, 17:18
People like Martini and Camilleri (below) tends to forget quickly. Surely I don't see them as intelligent floating voters. May I please remind them then:
AD + MLP = 51%
PN = 49%
and..."flimkien kollox possibli" Gonzi PN once said.
W Camilleri
Jul 21st 2008, 16:58
Why?
Charles Camilleri
Jul 21st 2008, 15:36
Please Josie and Arnold stop clowning you represent nobody. it is disgusting that the Times gives you so much importance.
J Martinelli
Jul 21st 2008, 13:43
When is a party a Party?
Let's have State funding for any Party.
Round up ten buddies, give the gang a name (as long as the word 'Party' is included), and start collecting!
J. Borg
Jul 21st 2008, 10:21
Dr. Muscat insistence on including other contributors, including AD, is commendable, and bodes well for Dr. Muscat's, Labour Party's and ultimately Malta's future.
To date I have yet to vote for Labour, but Dr. Muscat is gaining my admiration.