In spite of a loss of 3,000 votes from the last election, Alternattiva Demokratika's chairman Arnold Cassola has stuck to his sentiment prior to elections, stating that he is not sorry that AD did not join the coalition of PN/PD.

"With hindsight, am I sorry that AD did not join the supposed coalition and that at the moment I am not in the running for a seat in parliament, on a par with craftier politicians than us?" he asked in a statement, going on to say, "the answer is absolutely not."

Despite the loss, however, Prof Cassola has not mentioned resignation.

"Thanks to you, we at AD hold our heads high. Your precious support gives me the strength to continue looking Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in the eye and to remind him that if he does not kick out Konrad Mizzi, Keith Schembri and Brian Tonna out of Castille, if he does not immediately convene a Constitutional convention to reform our comatose institutions, then he is leading our country into a sure future of moral and ethical decline," he said.

He pointed out that votes for AD were rare, especially on the "traditional PN strongholds ranging from 8^th till 12^th district."

He said that "for being principled, we were punished by being called all sorts of names.. and demonised by the PN party machine that encouraged its supporters to close ranks and to avoid casting any preference votes for our candidates."   

Referring to the 3000 votes from the last election, Prof Cassola said "this cannot be ignored or dismissed. Being the Chair of AD, the major responsibilty for this loss is obviously mine. In the following weeks AD will have to take stock of the situation and chart the way forward for the future."

"But your precious 2500 and over number one votes cast for AD make us proud. We know that out there there are Maltese people who appreciate politicians standing up for one's principles and looking at politics not just as an opportunistic way of getting a seat in parliament," he said.

"AD can continue to be a leading beacon of honesty, consistency and credibility in Maltese politics," he said.