AD claimed that after “Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi personally and directly interfered in the Nationalist Party’s absurd campaign against AD on the abortion issue” in a speech he gave a few days ago, it felt the need to reiterate its stance on this subject.
Prof. Cassola has been secretary-general of the European Greens since 1999 and AD noted that from the time of his election, former Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami never abused his position to attack the AD, the political party that helped him obtain EU membership and never, in his term as prime minister, did he embark on such an irrational campaign.
The statement issued by AD yesterday said that Dr Fenech Adami was well aware that AD is openly and publicly against abortion in Malta and abroad. “Dr Gonzi should be ashamed of the way he is abusing his position when he is aware that without the AD’s support, there would be no Nationalist Government, Malta would not be an EU member and he would not be prime minister”, continued the statement.
The AD said, “the prime minister’s monumental ingratitude will go down in history as a prime example of moral failure and inability to keep his word”.
The party has voiced its intent to file a civil libel lawsuit against Dr Gonzi, and anyone who wants to contribute to the AD’s legal expenses can send a cheque to 10 Manwel Dimech Street, Sliema or send a text message to 5061-7541 to donate Lm1 or 5061-8100 to donate Lm2.
The AD’s statement also served as a reminder of Dr Vassallo’s invitation to the prime minister to hold a televised debate on the abortion issue. “The PN’s behaviour is utterly irresponsible because it is opening up a futile debate. The AD, PN and MLP are all against abortion and the possibility of it being introduced in Malta is non-existent”.
“This is nothing but a dirty trick on behalf of the PN to deviate attention from the real problems that the country is facing, such as the economy, employment and the environment, problems that the PN cannot deal with because of its incompetence”, the statement concluded.