Member of Parliament Marlene Farrugia has been elected as Leader of the Partit Demokratiku, following an election for members during their first annual general meeting.
Up until this point, the MP was the temporary leader until the AGM took place.
The party was set up months after Dr Farrugia resigned from the PL.
Asked by this newsroom whether this confirms that she will be contesting the next election, she confirmed. "If the realities of the country remain as they are, I will contest as leader of the Partit Demokratiku".
As for whether there are others who they have chosen to contest, she said there have been people who came forward, however the assessment process still needs to occur. She said that not all of these are currently members of the party. The party was not ready to release any names for the time being, but will do so at a later date.
The party has also not yet decided if they will contest in every district.
Dr Farrugia also confirmed that the PN did approach her to initiate meetings and some discussions took place. Up until now, she would take this information back to the core group. Now that the executive is in place, the party can properly discuss what communications were passed to the Partit Demokratiku by the PN, etc. "I have said in the past that the country needs a united opposition front to offer an alternative government in the upcoming general elections. As to whether it will happen, what will happen and how it will work still needs to be discussed between our members. What is certain is that come Monday, we will start visiting houses as the Partit Demokratiku".
Asked about their views on the budget, Dr Farrugia said that it is clear that we are not caring for the future of the country, which is in our children. "We still push, telling everyone to work as much as they can, yet serious investment in children that can be seen through more family time with children, is not there".
She also said that the amounts given to help society are counterbalanced by other taxes and the lack of energy tariff reductions. "Energy tariff can be reduced as the price of oil has stabilised around the €50 - €60 per barrel mark".
Deputy Leader Anthony Buttigieg highlighted that there was nothing with regards to a commitment to solve the transport system problems. "patching a few roads won't solve the problems".
Catherine Farrugia said that until they solve the problem regarding the mentality of the Maltese and the use of private cars, it won't be solved
Dr Anthony Buttigieg was elected Deputy Leader, the General Secretary will be Karl Camilleri, Engineer Duncan Bonnici is the treasurer and Monique Agius is the new Public Relations Officer
In addition, the four members elected to the executive council are Professor Matthew Montebello, Catherine Farrugia, Alex Clayman, Carmel Polidano.
The term for the executive is two years.