The three main political parties appear to have been somewhat unimpressed with the initial ideas put forward by Josie Muscat’s newly set-up party, Azzjoni Nazzjonali.

PN secretary general Joe Saliba told The Malta Independent that it was “a pity that AN spoke about women, homosexuals and irregular migrants as if they were second-class citizens.”

Labour secretary general Jason Micallef’s reaction was that he does not share the views expressed by AN officials, while Alternattiva Demokratika’s public relations officer, Victor Fiorini, said Dr Muscat mentions and exploits real problems, but does not present realistic solutions.

AN was launched two weeks ago, with former Nationalist MP Josie Muscat, developer Anglu Xuereb and former Alleanza Nazzjonali Repubblikana (ANR) member Philip Beattie presenting themselves as the co-founders of the new political party.

The three other political parties were asked by The Malta Independent to give their comments with regard to what possible effects AN could have on the outcome of the forthcoming general election, which is to be held within the next 12 months.

With the launching of AN, and the participation of AD, the two major political parties are now less likely to obtain an absolute majority at the next general election.

However, the MLP’s secretary general said “Labour will win the coming general election with an absolute majority. People want change and a new beginning, and for this reason they will choose Labour.”

Asked to comment on AN’s ideas as presented when the party was launched, Mr Micallef said: “In a democracy like ours, I respect all parties or individuals who put their names before the electorate, but I don’t share the views expressed by AN officials in their first official public showing.”

The PN secretary general also said that any new political party deserved respect, but he said Malta deserved to be treated as the democratic country it is.

“It is unacceptable for AN to speak about women, homosexuals and irregular migrants, as if they were second-class citizens in this day and age. That type of mentality reflects the type of society we lived in about 20 or 30 years ago,” said Mr Saliba, adding that his point goes beyond votes.

This was a matter of principle, particularly in this democratic country that has come a long way, said the PN secretary general.

Victor Fiorini from AD, said there were some basic contradictions with regard to AN’s ideas on irregular migration.

“The thrust of Josie Muscat’s speech places him in the category of right-wing populists. He mentions and exploits real problems but does not present realistic solutions,” said Mr Fiorini.

Asked which of the two major political parties was most likely to lose votes to AN, Mr Fiorini said both stand to lose, since they are both “traditional homes for extreme conservatism. In political terms, AN can have no leverage on parties on the left and is politically a prisoner on the right. It will be a nuisance to those who rely on the votes of conservatives.”

Asked about the idea regarding the possibility or otherwise of either of the two main parties obtaining an absolute or relative majority at the forthcoming election, Mr Fiorini said the two parties involved in discussions on the electoral reform appear to be convinced that neither of them would obtain an absolute majority of the vote.

“A relative majority of seats that is not backed by a relative majority of votes only becomes a major issue if only the two parties currently represented in Parliament are elected. Their concern about such an outcome does not go far enough to ensure that an electoral reform takes place, but AD is determined to be elected to Parliament at the next general election and will avoid all these issues at once,” he said.

AD wants to challenge the two-party system and those who find this aspect of politics interesting may be attracted to either AD or AN. This however, would be a minority since most people who vote AD do so for many other reasons, not least a track record of 18 years of decent and clear politics.

The Nationalist Party’s secretary general noted an interesting fact that should AN and AD have a relatively similar effect on both major parties, votes would balance out and therefore both would not have any major effect on the two big parties.

Mr Saliba said however, that it was still too early to say what type of effect AN will have on the PN, particularly since such possible outcomes were calculated in a scientific manner.

While it was not easy to say which of the two parties would have the biggest effect on the Nationalist Party, Mr Saliba said the PN did not consider them to be a threat, but a challenge – “it is always good to have competition.”