AD chairman Arnold Cassola.

Alternattiva Demokratika wants to see the creation of a new post in the European Commission focused on small member states.

It makes the proposal in its manifesto for the European Parliament election, in which it also calls for a more accountable EU executive and European Central Bank.

AD’s MEP candidates, chairman Arnold Cassola and deputy chairman Carmel Cacopardo, yesterday said the party was in favour of greater use of referenda at the European and domestic levels to ensure the direct participation of citizens in decision-making.

Speaking in Sliema, where they highlighted the Green Party’s salient proposals for next month’s EP election, the candidates said they would advocate the removal of the Dublin II Convention, making it possible for immigrants to live in any of the EU countries irrespective of their point of entry.

Prof. Cassola said the Greens would work towards the setting up of a World Environment Organisation.

Mr Cacopardo said AD wanted to see “a social Europe” with an economy based on solidarity rather than austerity.

“Greens are at the forefront of defending digital rights and we will continue working towards the respect of privacy and personal information of Maltese, Gozitans and EU citizens,” Mr Cacopardo said.

AD is fielding two candidates for the May 24 election.

This will be Prof. Cassola’s third attempt at winning a seat in the European Parliament, having unsuccessfully contested the 2004 and 2009 elections.

This will be Mr Cacopardo’s first MEP election.