During a press conference held at the offices of Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party (AD) in Sliema yesterday, chairperson Harry Vassallo (photo) said that The Green Party had received the reward it had worked for and was now gearing up to make residents’ voices reach the country’s decision makers.

“The 2006 local council election campaign was hijacked by national politics and local campaigns such as the ones in Sliema and in Sannat became national issues demanding the dedication of special energies to respond to the national government more than to local competition,” Dr Vassallo said.

“The response of residents in theses localities has been unequivocal,” Dr Vassallo said. “Through the exceptional, first count election of Michael Briguglio, Sliema residents have emphasised their objection to the way they have been treated,” Dr Vassallo said

The significance of our success in Gozo through the efforts of John Mizzi and his supporters in Sannat should be carefully weighed by all Gozitans. Dr Vassallo added: “Sannat has given Malta and Gozo a splendid example of what can be achieved if residents forget ancient party loyalties and take local issues seriously on their own merits. Today they know that they can challenge the stagnated political scenario which threatens their future.”