Former Alternattiva Demokratika leader Michael Briguglio has lashed out at his successor Arnold Cassola, saying that he (Cassola) blames everyone but himself for the disastrous performance at the election.

AD obtained 3,000 less than it did four years ago, picking up 0.7% of the electorate’s preferences.

In a Facebook post, Briguglio said the leadership of Alternattiva Demokratika should shoulder responsibility for its results at these general elections and give space to young activists.

In a clear reply to Cassola’s statement following AD’s performance, Briguglio said:

“As always, Arnold Cassola blames everyone in the world but himself for AD's terrible result. Shall he blame gravity next?” he asked.

“As regards his obvious digs to me: No I do not wish my ex-party dead. But yes, I do wish that the AD leadership of Cassola-Cacopardo-Cassar takes responsibility for its terrible performance and quits sooner rather than later, giving space to the young activists who have a future ahead and to possible newcomers.”

“This is the same leadership that did not want an open process for the selection of a new leader when I quit leadership in 2013,” he continued, “and instead used their power of incumbency to quickly set up an AGM so as to ensure that they fill in the posts and use the party as their political retirement plan by having a podium to rant against all the world.”

“When I proposed a rainbow coalition over a year ago to Cassola, he said that it was impossible, but after PD managed to do it after months of negotiation, he probably felt jealous and tried to do the same with AD in a matter of days bang in the electoral campaign. But whereas PD was reasonable and realistic and now has an MP, AD played the impossible and is now what it is,” he concluded.