The fact that Nationalist Party (PN) and the Demo-cratic Party (PD) may be fighting the election on a joint ticket under the PN banner hit the headlines last week. It has left many people asking questions. Is the PD coalescing with the PN? Is the PD disbanding? Will the PD as a party still exist? Has the PD abandoned its principles of good governance and sustainable development? Is this possible?

What I write here is not meant to be diplomatic or to garner political points. It is what happened, the plain truth.

First, let me give a little background on the agreement.

A few months ago, PN leader Simon Busuttil approached Marlene Farrugia, the leader of the PD, to explore the possibility of joining forces to combat what is probably the most corrupt government we have had since Independence. We at the PD were ready to listen to his proposal, albeit a little warily. After all, the PN’s recent history on good governance and its notorious ‘rationalisation’ of ODZ in 2006 were not exactly the best calling cards.

Meetings were held, first between Farrugia and Busuttil.

Busuttil preferred we join the PN; we wanted to campaign on our own ticket. After Busuttil met our executive, where a very frank discussion was held, our views began to converge although not yet being quite the same.

What we did agree on was that the way this country is governed must change and that a third political force in Parliament could only be a healthy thing.

The PD came out with the idea of both parties campaigning on a joint ticket – so that the number one votes would not be split – with their own banners, under the title of a ‘Coalition for Change’ or something similar.

Busuttil was reluctant but was willing to discuss further. Both parties agreed to appoint lawyers to start hammering out a possible coalition agreement. In our case, we had to appoint one, as, believe it or not, to this day not one lawyer can be counted among our ranks.

The two gentlemen began to hammer out a working document that was acceptable to both and to consult with constitutional lawyers regarding the legality of it all. It so happens that our proposal was not workable.

The only way we could campaign as a team was if we both decided to have our candidates listed under the banner of an already extant party. It was that or form a brand-new party and, quite simply, there is no time for that because the election can be called any time.

We ask you to give this experiment a chance

Now, we at the PD are very down-to-earth people and do not suffer from delusions of grandeur. If a banner had to be chosen it would be that of the older and bigger party, even if it came with baggage.

So, that is how we got to the point we have now reached. What does the agreement entail?

Some fine details still have to be hammered out but, essentially, the PN and the PD will remain separate parties. We will have our own executives, choose our own candidates and which district to contest, discipline our own members if necessary and have our own leaders.

We will campaign on a joint manifesto agreed upon by both parties. It will contain some issues very important to us regarding good governance, electoral reform, accountability, party finance and sustainable development.

If we win the election and the PD has some of its candidates elected, we will govern as two parties in a coalition.

The one-time the PD will be part of the PN is on that important election day where our candidates will be included in the PN list. Those candidates, however, will be clearly marked either by nickname or the background colour on their photos in the voting halls as Orange or PD.

That is where the final details have to be hammered out. You may want to know why.

Let’s be pragmatic. Given our electoral system, a small party has a mountain to climb to gain a seat in Parliament (ask Alternattiva Demokratika). At the same time, the PN, for various reasons, is not gaining in polls. We asked people who felt disgruntled with the prevailing state of politics in Malta whether they were more likely to vote for separate parties or for a coalition of fresh faces and innovative ideas.

The answer was overwhelmingly simple: if the PD were to contest on its own, they would just not bother to vote for any party because they felt it would be a waste of time. Join a coalition where the first preference votes would count to oust this disgusting administration and, at the same time, serve as a system of check and balance for any future PN government and, yes, one’s interest would be sparked.

Both parties had to make compromises. It was not easy for the PN to approach us; they are used to doing things on their own and have a long history behind their name.

It was not easy for the PD since the majority of our executive come from a Labour background. But, at the end of the day, we have come together to move this country forward.

One thing I can promise: myself and my co-members and candidates in the PD will stick to our values. If we are successful in the coming election, we will ensure the future administration will also embrace such values.

We will be a junior partner in the government but we will make absolutely sure it is one that upholds the principles of transparency, good governance, sustainable development, true inclusion and meritocracy.

We ask you to give this experiment a chance. Be part of change. Be part of a new and brighter phase in our country’s history. Malta deserves it.

Anthony Buttigieg is deputy leader of the Democratic Party.