PD MEP candidate Camilla Appelgren has removed her Facebook accounts, however has told this newsroom that it has nothing to do with the abortion issue.

Recently, PD Leader Godfrey Farrugia told The Times of Malta that the party signed an anti-abortion pledge conditionally, as a commitment to engage with all sectors of society. PD MEP Candidate Cami Appelgren then came out with a statement, describing herself as pro-prevention and that she would work to prevent women from getting into a situation where they need an abortion, also saying that she was not in favour of blanket bans on abortion.

This particular situation then led to PD members and candidates posting on Facebook, resulting in a bit of confusion over the pledge made by the party.

PD Deputy Leader Timothy Alden, in a Facebook comment, described the situation.

“The abortion debate is a divisive and often toxic debate that had at times been the government's favourite strategy to divide and conquer. This time, the challenge came from elsewhere. The party leaders have either signed or not signed a pledge relating to the right to life in the constitution. It is, by design, meant to split people apart, to be neatly categorised into one camp or another.”

“By design, each political party was going to be wounded by it. That is because each mainstream political party in Malta contains both conservatives and liberals.”

“The pledge was also signed by Godfrey Farrugia in his name CONDITIONALLY. In the end, the party leader volunteered to sign in his own name, under the understanding that Partit Demokratiku has a clause in its statute that allows for freedom of conscience. Camilla Appelgren is rightfully exercising that right by saying she does not agree with the pledge. It is deeply unfortunate that this pledge was presented to begin with. Partit Demokratiku stated that abortion is not an issue for the European Parliamentary election. We have fielded Camilla Appelgren because we are tolerant of different views. It is unfair she was dragged into this to begin with.”

“I ask people to see this pledge in context. Like ALL the other mainstream parties, we have both conservatives and liberals in our ranks. Just because our party leader signed this pledge does not mean all candidates have instantly been radicalised one way or another.”

“Most of us, if not all of us, remain focused on European issues for a European campaign. I am focused on local council and national issues within my remit. Hon Dr Godfrey Farrugia himself was drafting a press release with me some days ago stating that abortion should not be a European Parliamentary issue! I therefore ask you to check the views of each candidate as regards this pledge. We all believe in and respect our leader, because we know the context for this pledge and we all respect one another's values and principles. We are a party underpinned by the pillars of freedom, tolerance, good governance, social justice and the environment. We will not be distracted from the pursuit of our goal for Malta. Let's focus on what Partit Demokratiku and its individual candidates actually stand for.”

Appelgren then later took down her Facebook page, however insists that this was not due to this abortion issue.

All she said was: “It has nothing to do with any topic. The only thing summarizing this is ‘There are crooks everywhere you look now. The situation is desperate.’ She quoted the last words of slain journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. She said that she remains on the ballot sheet.

She would not elaborate further.

 

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In another Facebook statement, PD Deputy Leader Timothy Alden posted the above Facebook comment in reaction to Appelgren removing her Facebook profile.