I had heard about Arnold Cassola’s intention to run for election first in Malta and subsequently in Italy within a couple of months. I was under the impression that we vote for our representative for five years not four weeks! So I did a little research on the internet and the story as I understand it is as follows.

Arnold Cassola was a member of the Verdi in Italy – who formed part of Prodi’s coalition Government. The party’s leader was the minister responsible for the environmental disaster in Naples – a Green responsible for a (man- made) environmental disaster (please note!).

Prodi’s coalition crumbled – as many tend to do – and this was the right time for Prof. Cassola as he was no longer bound by allegiance to “his” constituents in Italy and could contest the local election with a clear conscience! Since the coalition took a tumble his party has aligned itself with the Far Left Communist parties (in the Rainbow alliance). But that’s fine as coalitions are nothing if they are not opportunistic. Ideology and principles make way for opportunistic alliances, I guess.

On BondiPlus, Dr Harry Vassallo confirmed (twice) that Prof. Arnold Cassola would be contesting the Italian elections, explaining that it would benefit the country to have a voice in the larger market! So, if he is successful, a couple of weeks after he takes an oath and pledges his loyalty to “his” constituents here in Malta, he resigns and flies off to Italy to get himself elected there! Presumably if he succeeds there he then takes another oath of allegiance to “his” new constituency – ditching his Maltese seat and allegiance.

I apologise if I am sounding a tad cynical but how can Alternattiva possibly expect us to take them seriously if one of their high profile candidates uses and disposes of “his” constituents at will – willing to dispose of his constituency to avail himself of a higher profile and better paid job elsewhere. If ever there was a case for wasting votes then this would have to take the cake. A vote for Cassola is a wasted vote!

Robert Agius

Sliema