Calling for a mature debate on abortion is quite distinct from the current pointless talk of the two main parties, Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo told the The Malta Independent.

Whilst the party has made it clear that it is against abortion, the reason it called for a mature debate, as part of its manifesto is to emphasise the party’s reservation against abortion registered in writing in the EU Manifesto of the European Green Party (EGP).

In a wide-ranging interview, Cacopardo said that whilst the AD’s manifesto is in line with that of the EGP in terms of enforcing a minimum income directive, no one has yet quantified what the minimum amount should be.

AD is also proposing investment in bicycle superhighways along material roads, which Cacopardo believes is “very realistic”. Since the distances between localities are small, the use of bicycles is more enticing.

Cacopardo also noted in order to reduce the number of cars on the road incentives on their own are not sufficient. Some of the measures Cacopardo mentions are further improvements of the public transport system as well as increasing transport tax.

When asked if the AD is relevant considering the few thousands of votes the party attains, Cacopardo noted that it is not only about the number of votes but also in terms of contribution to the political debate.

The Alternattiva Demokratika’s manifesto calls for a mature debate on abortion. Do you think that all the talk on abortion is pointless, seeing that none of the big parties agree with the introduction of abortion? You party has also said it is against abortion, so why call for such a debate? Recently, you also said that the aim is to have a clearer picture of what people think on the subject. Do you think the majority of Maltese are in favour? If this is the case, should there be a referendum? And should Parliament introduce abortion if the majority agree?

Alternattiva Demokratika has repeatedly called for a mature debate on abortion, quite distinct from the current pointless talk of both the Nationalist Party and the Labour Party.

The first point to underline is that abortion is a local reserved matter and is under the direct responsibility of the Maltese Parliament. The matter is referred to in Alternattiva Demokratika’s manifesto in order to emphasise the party’s reservation against abortion registered in writing in the EU Manifesto of the European Green Party (EGP).

The point at issue is not whether one is in favour or against abortion but to establish “more awareness as to what is going on and consequently assist policy makers in identifying suitable measures to address the causes of abortion in Malta,” as is described in our manifesto.

Alternattiva Demokratika is advocating for a European minimum income directive. What should the minimum income be in Malta?

In line with the EGP Manifesto AD’s Manifesto states that the “European framework legislation must enforce, through a minimum income directive passed by the next European Parliament, that Member States guarantee their citizens a decent minimum income, respecting national social security systems.”

This is a proposal for action at an EU level. Currently not all EU countries guarantee a decent minimum income to their citizens. The Greens insist that a social Europe should ensure that is no longer the case and that all EU citizens should be guaranteed a decent minimum income.

No one is quantifying what this should amount to. The point is to establish the principle at an EU level.

Alternattiva Demokratika is calling for a European Sea Rescue Mission. How would this work?

Manifesto speaks on “re-establishing” a sea rescue mission. It is difficult but the only way forward if we are to honour our international obligations. The EU has to learn from past mistakes and plot the way forward. The border states are not in a position to shoulder this responsibility on their own.

The party is against the criminalisation of migrant rescue missions yet wants fair sharing between member states. The reality is that rescue missions will always work closer to countries like Malta and Italy. Is this not bit of a contradiction?

There is no contradiction with insisting that NGOs carrying out rescue missions are not criminalised and simultaneously insisting on fair sharing of the responsibilities between all member states.

NGO rescue missions are essential until such time that a European Sea Rescue Mission is put on a sound footing. Thereafter NGOs could be of help in areas which could be identified.

Alternattiva Demokratika is proposing investment in bicycle superhighways along arterial roads. How realistic is this proposal? Do you really think that the Maltese would ever shift to the use of bicycles, especially during the hotter months?

The proposal is very realistic. The notion that Malta is some special place where business as usual is a necessity because of some special characteristics is just an excuse.

Bicycle superhighways are safe, segregated bicycle paths for commuters choosing to commute by bicycle along the busiest roads - major traffic arteries connecting heavily populated areas.

In towns and villages, with proper enforcement and a few changes to infrastructure, commuter cyclists can share the road safely with cars. However, along arterial roads it important to provide safe paths.

The issue of weather is a non-starter nowadays since electric bicycles are becoming the bicycles of choice for commuting. If Malta has hot weather, other countries have very cold and wet weather, which does not stop people from commuting by bicycle.

For people to use bicycles more you first have to provide infrastructure to make it safer to travel - connecting Birkirkara, Attard, Mosta, Balzan, Lija, Paola, Marsaskala to University, MCAST, and other institutions would be a very good start. It works the other way round - first you provide the infrastructure.

Just remember that every bicycle used for commuting means one car less and less congestion. More bicycles means less traffic. The fact that distances between localities are small, makes the use of bicycles more enticing.

Your party is saying there should be a drive to reduce the number of cars on the roads. How would you do this? Do you agree with increasing vehicle/road tax?

Reducing cars on the road is an objective of Malta’s National Transport Master Plan which is not being implemented. Road widening and major road infrastructural works in the long-term serve to increase more cars on our roads thereby postponing today’s problematic congestion to the future.

Attaining the objective of a reduction of cars on the road can be achieved by a mixture of policy tools. Incentives on their own are not sufficient.

Public transport on both land and sea is improving but it can be further improved. Its improvement can be facilitated by less cars on our roads through providing more bus lanes and through innovative schemes encouraging car sharing. Improvement in the availability of alternatives to private car use can be supplemented by fiscal measures including increases in transport taxes. These do not only include vehicle/road taxes and also adequately planned and implemented congestion taxes which have been proven effective wherever used.

The EU Greens support tax harmonization. Both PN and PL say this will greatly hurt our economy. Where does Alternattiva Demokratika stand on this?

The Alternattiva Demokratika’s manifesto does not speak of tax harmonization but of “responsible tax competition”.

The manifesto is very clear on this and in fact states as follows: “Greens stand against unfair tax competition between Member States which is disrupting public budgets everywhere. Taxation policy is a matter reserved for the Member States. This can be a competitive advantage which must be used in a responsible manner. Alternattiva Demokratika supports the use of this competitive advantage by Malta on the understanding that this must be exercised ethically at all times. Failure to do so will result in injustices in other EU countries when companies operating on their soil use legal loopholes to evade payment of taxes running into millions if not billions of euro. Monies which are fed into the Maltese Exchequer as a result of this are the result of tax evasion and serve only to endanger measures of social solidarity in other Member States.”

Alternattiva Demokratika has always struggled to get more than a few thousand votes in the general and European elections and has never elected a candidate in the Maltese and European Parliaments. Is this not a sign that Alternattiva Demokratika is irrelevant to the electorate in general?

AD’s performance at general elections peaked in 2013 at 5,506 while that at EU elections varied between 22,938 in 2004 and 7,418 in 2014. Not being elected does not mean being irrelevant, even in view of the small number of seats available. Moreover relevance is not only measured in terms of votes but also in terms of our contribution to the political debate.

What are Alternattiva Demokratika’s main priorities for local councils?

These are listed in our electoral manifesto and include: transparency, good governance and strengthening of local democracy, as well as ensuring a bilingual administrative capacity.

The quality of life of our local communities is a central element in our local council manifesto and is to be achieved through nurturing the quality of the state of the local environment: gardens, roads and public spaces. Emphasis should be placed on more pedestrianization and limiting speed limits in residential areas to 30 kilometers per hour.

How are you expecting the party to fare in the upcoming elections?

We expect a reasonable result which reflects our emphasis on local council elections.

You have spoken about the excessive development in areas like St Julian’s and Birkirkara. Alternattiva Demokratika is only fielding nine candidates for the local council elections, not all of whom will be elected. How will the party make a difference?

Alternattiva Demokratika is fielding a number of candidates in line with past elections. The party has made a difference in all localities where it had elected councillors in the past.

Did Alternattiva Demokratika consider working with other small parties, such as PD?

Alternattiva Demokratika discussed possibilities of cooperation with PD. The discussions however were unsuccessful.