PN's decisions will deepen crisis - AD chairman

The Nationalist Party's most recent decisions will only deepen the current parliamentary crisis, AD chairman Michael Briguglio said.

Speaking in Paceville this morning, Dr Briguglio said that following MP Franco Debono's most recent parliamentary abstention, the country will keep guessing about his next move.

"This will not be solved through the Nationalist Party's decisions on parliamentary sittings and on its leadership contest. What is required is a general election and national consensus to adopt electoral reforms that guarantee true pluralism.

"The current crisis results from a two-party system based on coalitions of individuals, rather than coalitions of parties. A coalition of political parties will be based on joint programmes, on dialogue and on reform, as is the norm in advanced democracies such as those in the EU," he said.

Deputy chairman Yvonne Arqueros Ebejer, who is also candidate for the St Julians council said the precarious political situation should not alienate one from the day-to-day issues of concern to residents.

The proposed embellishment of Paceville, she said, was important for tourism and businesses in the area.

"Alternattiva Demokratika is in favour of such projects but one should keep in mind the rights and concerns of residents who live in the area. Some of these residents have been living here long before the area was converted to what it is today.

"Residents should be properly consulted on such development. One should keep in mind that when Paceville was last embellished, it was characterised by shoddy work and by lack of concern for residents' rights," she said.