Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party (AD) yesterday launched the distribution of a leaflet (Bidla bil-Ghaqal fil-Ligi tal-Kera) for the collection of signatures in the national referendum campaign for the reform of the rent laws.
Speaking at a press conference at the party’s offices in Sliema, Dr Harry Vassallo said it was now possible to step up the tempo of the campaign thanks to the donations received so far. Printing and distribution of this leaflet alone has cost in the region of Lm4,000, which was raised from donations, large and small, from many people including a donation from the Association for Justice with Landlords, which transferred its funds to the campaign because this campaign covers the aims of this association.
Dr Vassallo said that it would be possible to increase the impact of the campaign when more funds are available to address the wider issues associated with rent reform such as property prices and the various interest groups who so far may be unaware that this campaign is also very much their concern.
“The leaflet is self explanatory and calls for participants to acquire ownership of the campaign by participating actively in signature collection, fund-raising and in the process of signature verification,” said Dr Vassallo. “It is expected that the door-to-door distribution of this leaflet will give every Maltese adult the option to express an opinion on a matter of vital importance to the social, economic and environmental well-being of the country,” Dr Vassallo continued.
Distribution of the leaflet starts this week and Alternattiva Demokratika would appreciate feedback from households so as to be able to monitor its effectiveness. The telephone numbers available for this purpose and also to respond to queries about the campaign or about filling the petition form are 21 314 037, 21 314 039 and 21 314 040.
The leaflet also includes a lottery page offering attractive prizes. This is the first time ever that AD has requested financial support from the public in its work and the money raised will be specifically for the purposes of this national campaign and not be allotted to party funds.
Dr Vassallo said the campaign is intended to bring about a change for the better through rent law reform. “Through this campaign we have given government and Parliament an opportunity to make a wide ranging reform in this sector which would otherwise be unlikely because of the narrow electoral interests of the other political parties. It would be a historical failure if this opportunity is missed because of a lack of political courage,” Dr Vassallo concluded.