Alternattiva Demokratika has called on the bigger political parties to stop acting 'like Father Christmas' in the electoral promises they are making.

AD leader Michael Briguglio told a press conference that if elected to parliament, AD would be the progressive voice of reason, steering away from electoral gimmicks.

"It is simply unacceptable that both Nationalist and Labour Parties have gone in Father Christmas mode during this electoral campaign, promising everything to everyone and also make irresponsible tax cut proposals. The plain truth is that money for public services has to come from somewhere. The irresponsible and unsustainable tax cuts in the budget, supported by both Nationalist and Labour parties, will result in less government revenue, and hence, less funds for public services. It is for this reason that Alternattiva Demokratika is proposing progressive tax measures, based on the ethical premise that those who can contribute most, do so, and on the polluters pays principle. Such a tax system ensures that necessary funds are available for universal public services and a sustainable welfare state. This is the model used by countries with the strongest social model, such as Nordic countries".

Mario Mallia, spokesman on education, was critical of the fact that the discussion on education has been kicked off with the promise of tablets across the board for students particularly by the Nationalist Party.  Whilst the continuation of the country's IT strategy in education was important, this provision has to be discussed within the context of the general needs of all students including the financing of early intervention programmes, psychosocial services among other urgent needs, he said.

The same applied for the proposal for the Gozo tunnel with a proposed cost of hundreds of millions of euro as a distraction from the immediate concerns of Gozitans, he added.

“If the 2015 target of a balanced budget pledged by the prime minister is to be taken seriously, the political class needs to behave in a responsible manner and refrain from making promises it cannot keep”