The Nationalist Party’s claim that AD is in favour of abortion is a blatant lie, it says, because Professor Cassola and AD have always been against abortion and have been consistent in their beliefs in Malta and abroad.
AD chairman Harry Vassallo said: “AD has never shied away from making its position clear on the issue of abortion. Unlike other parties, AD has been consistent in its position here in Malta and also within its European family. The PN’s claim that only the European Greens are in favour of abortion is also untrue, as the European Popular Party has also voted in favour of abortion time and time again and many popular parties, to which the PN are allied, have introduced abortion in their respective countries.”
Dr Vassallo continued: “AD will not tolerate this smear campaign of deliberate lies and will proceed with filing libel charges against the PN. The Nationalists have resorted to a campaign of moral violence in their attempt to harm AD and Prof. Cassola as they are aware that Prof. Cassola stands a good chance of being elected, as he is head and shoulders above the rest of the candidates.
“If the PN is truly against abortion it should act responsibly as its behaviour is putting abortion on the agenda when, in reality, all three political parties are against it.”
AD pointed out that in 2002, the huge majority of PPE MEPs, including EPP-ED chairman Hans-Gert Poettering, voted in favour of facilitating access to methods which allow the abortion of a human life/embryo conceived the night before.
In the same year, an even bigger majority of Popular MEPs, again including Mr Poettering, voted in favour of putting pressure on candidate countries on matters such as abortion and sex education, AD said.
If PN candidates think it is wrong to contest EP elections on the ticket of pro-abortion parties, then they should not contest under the PPE, AD said.
Prof. Cassola said: “AD and I myself have always been against abortion and I commit myself to voting against abortion in the European Parliament, should the issue arise”.