“We want to rid Malta of the last vestiges of a neo-colonial mentality based on patronage and feudal ties to petty politicians. We will work in the European Parliament to ensure that Malta joins the EU not just in a ceremonial manner but through real and concrete change in the country’s political culture. Through AD’s presence in the European Parliament, the Maltese and Gozitans will gain representation by someone whose first loyalty is not towards the party in government,” Prof. Cassola said.

He explained that recently, while the Nationalist Party was lobbying the EPP to block a Green motion in the European Parliament to express concern on the Mnajdra landfill, he had raised the issue at European level to put pressure on the government to abandon this outrageous project.

He said that he would divulge all available information, through which all Maltese and Gozitans will benefit.

“In the European Parliament we will act as a bridge between local communities and European institutions, especially when these are threatened by unsustainable development. We will seek to limit the power of local lobby groups like hunters who hold the other two parties at ransom.

“The recent hunting outrage shows how much AD was right in opposing the concession granted by the Nationalist Party to hunters by allowing hunting in spring. Malta could end up paying a hefty fine due the arrogance of a few hunters and the concessions made by the government,” Prof. Cassola concluded.

Dr Vassallo also expressed his satisfaction that Malta has finally found its place in the European family of nations. “Malta deserves to be represented by the most capable and serious MEPs. This is not a partisan contest. We will all win if the best five representatives are elected,” he said.

Dr Vassallo explained that we will all win if Malta is represented in three European political families instead of in just two. He said we will all win if Prof. Cassola is elected in the European Parliament because Malta will benefit from his experience as the first Maltese to be elected general secretary of a European political family.

He said AD’s only interest is to work for a better Malta and a better Europe based on more work, more democracy and more environmental protection. Dr Vassallo expressed his confidence that in June we will celebrate again because Malta will become even more European.

“We are joining the EU as the only European country in which just two parties are represented in parliament. This will change after 12 June. We will all win if Malta evolves from a tribal duopoly into a fully fledged European democracy,” Dr Vassallo concluded.