Alternattiva Demokratika was the first party to publish its electoral manifesto yesterday after members gave it a unanimous thumbs up.
You may not agree with what we say but you know where you stand with us- Michael Briguglio
The 94-page manifesto, in Maltese and English, proposes gay marriage, decriminalisation of drugs for personal use, a vacant property tax, an increase in the minimum wage and lower VAT for essential items.
Spread over 28 chapters covering various issues from the family to the economy, from culture to home affairs, the manifesto also has a section dedicated to animal rights.
AD chairman Michael Briguglio said if elected to Parliament AD would work with another political party on the basis of an agreed programme.
Addressing party members gathered in Valletta for the general conference that also approved nine election candidates, Dr Briguglio said a Green MP would seek political consensus to “ensure stability”.
AD will be the voice of reason in Parliament, he added. “You may not agree with what we say but you know where you stand with us.”
He urged people to break the two-party deadlock and vote AD, insisting it was the only progressive party that did not fear tackling issues the other parties ignored.
Dr Briguglio criticised the income tax cut announced in the Budget. He said the only way the country could afford it and still raise more than €80 million in income tax – a Budget forecast – was by having economic growth that surpassed that of China.
“This is truly an Alice in Wonderland decision,” he said, using the same jibe the PN used to describe Labour’s energy plan.
The PN used this as an election gimmick and found Labour an accomplice, he added.
The Labour Party has pledged to retain the tax cut if elected.
“We are the only true progressive party with a vision to safeguard the environment, ensure social justice, enhance civil liberties and support sustainable economic policies,” Dr Briguglio said, hitting out at Labour and PN for disagreeing with the introduction of a “very small” financial transaction tax proposed by the European Commission.
He defended his party’s proposal to increase the minimum wage, saying it would encourage people on welfare benefits to find a job.
“In this way work will truly pay and it will help lift people out of the risk of poverty.”
He said Labour’s proposal to increase the minimum wage only when the economy grew did not make sense. AD candidates will be contesting all districts and the party will also field candidates for local elections in Sliema, Marsascala and Santa Venera.
The election candidates are: Arnold Cassola (first and ninth), Mario Mallia (second and eighth), Carmel Cacopardo (third and 11th), Angele Deguara (fourth and ninth), Robert Callus (fifth and 11th), Silvan Agius (sixth and 12th), Ralph Cassar (seventh and 11th), Michael Briguglio (eighth and 10th) and David Camilleri (13th).
Manifesto briefs
• Increase the minimum wage.
• Make childcare universally available for free.
• Increase maternity leave to 20 weeks.
• Introduce two weeks paternal leave.
• Introduce full marriage rights for gay couples.
• IVF should also be available to gay couples.
• Tax vacant property, from the third property onwards.
• Lower VAT on essential items.
• Agree with an EU-wide financial transactions tax.
• Ban circuses that use performing animals.
• Ban spring hunting.
• Decriminalise personal drug use.
• Church tribunal should not take precedence over civil courts in annulment cases.
• President should be elected by MPs and all mayors.
• Make donations of more than €40,000 to political parties illegal and those in excess of €5,000 should be made public.
• Liberalise shop-opening hours.
ksansone@timesofmalta.com