Talks between the PN and the AD over a possible coalition have hit a brick wall, as while the PN insists that AD candidates run on the PN ticket with some way to distinguish the two present on the ballot paper, the AD wants all candidate to run under a different name to reflect a new coalition.

AD Chairperson Arnold Cassola believes that the name of the coalition party would need to reflect pluralism and diversity of the coalition, otherwise it would just be the PN.

"If the Maltese football team has ten players from Hibs and one from Swieqi, it's still called Malta and not Hibs."

PN Leader Busuttil highlighted that both parties agreed on policy.

PN Deputy Leader Mario de Marco, and AD Deputy Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo will continue negotiations in an attempt to find a solution.

Earlier today, former AD Leader Michael Briguglio urged his former party to join the PN-PD coalition.

The PN and AD held their meeting just hours after the PN and PD officially declared that they will be contesting the upcoming general elections under the same banner.

"I reiterate my strong belief that AD should join the coalition, for two main reasons. First, this will help create a national democratic force to defeat the Labour Party in the upcoming general elections. Labour has been hijacked by the Panama Papers gang, and corruption is over-determining its style of governance. Malta is facing a political and constitutional crisis, and trust in institutions such as the Police is being eroded," Dr Briguglio had said.

"Second, as things stand, this is the only way how third party candidates can have a real chance of being elected in parliament. Given that candidates from different parties will be on the same list, the 'wasted vote' preoccupation of many voters will be defeated, and votes for separate parties will not be split to Labour's advantage. This is because votes given to candidates from different parties but on the same party list will be counted together as one group."

If AD does not join the coalition it risks fading into irrelevance, Dr Briguglio added.

"I assume that the Greens will be offered a similar type of offer that was agreed upon by the Nationalist and Democratic Parties."

The PN and PD will be contesting the next election under the PN's name and banner, with PD candidates to have Tal-Orangjo added after their name. Candidates fall under the respective parties' responsibilities. The parties will be working together to present one electoral programme and that, if elected, will take decisions and give appointments in the best interests  of the country and without partisan considerations. The parties will have one single manifesto, based on the principles of good governance, social justice, a sustainable economy, safeguarding of the environment and constitutional reform.

"I think that this agreement represents a sensible, realistic, proportionate and genuine compromise," Dr Briguglio said.