In March, Alternattiva Demokratika may have obtained its best ever general election result but today it is a party still in search of a leader.

The party executive has postponed the annual general meeting that was to be held on Saturday to elect the leader and the rest of the officials, after nobody submitted a nomination for the post of chairman.

Confirming the news on his blog, AD deputy chairman Carmel Cacopardo yesterday urged party supporters to translate their support into active participation.

“The direction AD will take depends on what position its supporters will adopt. If more support translates into activism, the future is bright. But if support remains passive I have no idea where we are going,” Mr Cacopardo wrote. AD has been without a leader since the general election when former chairman Michael Briguglio called it a day to concentrate on his career and family. Dr Briguglio, who remains an AD councillor in Sliema, had underlined the party’s success at the polls in his resignation letter.

But while acknowledging the party’s successful result – AD obtained 1.8 per cent of the vote, its highest share ever – Mr Cacopardo yesterday said it was not excellent given the massive vote swing.

“1.8 per cent would have been an excellent result in a situation where the other political parties were neck and neck. But when one considers that more than 38,000 voters shifted from one side to another and from these AD only attracted 1,700, the result is no longer as excellent,” he said.

Mr Cacopardo, a former PN information secretary who joined the Green Party more than five years ago, said AD activists were all volunteers. Despite being a small party, he added, there was a lot of work to be done as activists struggled to keep up with their day jobs as well.

He acknowledged that this situation, coupled with disheartening results, made it difficult for supporters to come forward and offer their services.

“As a consequence fewer people get involved and the burden falls on a small number of activists: a heavy burden which we sometimes cannot shoulder.

This is neither right nor acceptable,” he said.

Dr Briguglio had succeeded Arnold Cassola and had been at the helm since 2009.

Writing in his own blog last night, Dr Briguglio suggested that the party carry out an “inclusive and open” process in which new faces would feel welcome.

He invited the “well-intentioned” to join AD.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com