“There has been so much arguing going on between the two main parties in power that we haven’t really had the chance to discuss real political issues,” said Azzjoni Nazzjonali leader Josie Muscat at a press conference held yesterday just outside Parliament in Valletta.

“AN has come out with a number of proposals that would change the political system so as to ensure it is lead in a correct and un-corrupt way. Among them we want a referendum system to be introduced, and harsher punishments with regard to drug trafficking,” said Dr Muscat.

AN believes that hunters have a right to practice their hobby as long as they do it within the parameters laid down by law, and we should not listen to what Europe is telling us in this regard. “We have the right to tell the people in Europe this is our hobby, that we cannot afford to close the Drydocks and allow so many people to lose their jobs, and that our small businesses need to be protected from competing businesses in Sicily,” said Dr Josie Muscat.

“We also want the President to have a State Council in order to nominate those people who will be on boards such as the Broadcasting Authority, the Malta Environmental Planning Authority, and the Electoral Commission. We have also suggested that the local councils should become Regional Councils,” added Dr Muscat.

AN believe that if the Maltese citizen is not receiving justice from Parliament, or any governmental board such as Mepa, he should have the right to ask the State Council for an effective remedy.

He again criticised big projects such as the Tigne, Fort Chambray and Fort Cambridge projects. “Is Smart City also going to be marked by developments outside the lines of its permit? Why have we given foreigners our land for free, when we would have been capable of developing such a project ourselves?” asked Dr Muscat.

With regard to immigration he said there is a legal way of entering our country and an illegal way, and the ones who choose the latter should suffer the consequences of their actions, rather than be assisted to stay while using the taxpayers’ money. “This is necessary if we want to guarantee the nation’s safety and security, and show some respect towards those who have managed to enter our country legally. Illegal immigration must be stopped today and not tomorrow,” he said.