Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1183404
16 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 10 NOVEMBER 2019 INTERVIEW AD was founded in the last 1980s, yet to date has never registered more than 3% in terms of electoral support. Recent surveys suggest that its current support level is just over 1%. Yet we are arguably living at a time when there is more environmental awareness than ever before. Why does AD find it so difficult to tap into environmental angst? Let's go back to 2005/6, when there was the ODZ issue. Gov- ernment had announced a revi- sion of the development zones – not just an extension of the zones themselves, but also a re- laxation of the building heights policy, etc. AD had organized a big campaign about it at the time. But things started happen- ing 10 years later… even now, a lot of the construction go- ing on can be traced to those policies changes. I think that, back then, people didn't feel there was a crisis, because they didn't experience the effects of those changes first-hand. They weren't as worried as they are today, because they saw noth- ing with their own eyes. The same thing happened re- cently with the proposed devel- opments in Attard. Residents asked us why we weren't 'doing anything' about what was hap- pening in their neighbourhood. The reality, however, is that we were talking about overdevel- opment, and the need to pro- tect Urban Conservation Areas, 10 years ago. And even now, many of those people will carry on supporting their traditional party – mostly the PN, in this case, as Attard is mainly a Na- tionalist locality. The bottom line, I think, is that people don't vote on mat- ters of principle. Not everyone, naturally. But at a certain level, these concerns are not translat- ing into political swings. And it's not just about the environ- ment. Even those Nationalists – to stick to the earlier example – who call themselves liberal sometimes ask why 'their' party would also be home to someone like Edwin Vassallo. To me, the answer is obvious. Because the PN is a centre right party which attracts that kind of 'religious right' support. But those Na- tionalists who want their party to become more liberal, keep hoping that the PN will change its ideology to suit them. Sorry, but it doesn't work that way… The idea that a political party can comprise two opposing ideologies also exists in AD, however. Take the abortion issue. AD is a pro-life party, yet it is home to people who have different views. And look what happened: when AD candidate Mina Tolu called for a national discussion on abortion… former chaiman Arnold Cassola left the party, etc. So isn't this something that also affects AD? Ironically, Arnold Cassola also said that he agrees with abortion, in cases where the mother's life is at risk... while criticizing Mina Tolu for pro- posing a national discussion on abortion. But this is precisely why a discussion is needed. It would take an amendment to the law to make the necessary changes to that effect. And you can't change the law without a discussion. But yes, AD has an official position against abortion. The reality, however, is that people – especially the young, or those of a certain background and ed- ucation – want to talk about the subject. A discussion is needed. I admit that I'm uncomfortable with the topic, myself; perhaps because of my age and upbring- ing. But the younger genera- tion views things differently. They want to talk about it; and they're right to want to discuss such issues. Malta is not the 'special country' it likes to think it is. This is a real social issue, and it needs to be discussed… because whatever you or I say: women who, for whatever rea- son, feel the need to terminate a pregnancy… they will do it regardless. Nobody can stop them… not Labour, not PN… least of all AD… Nonetheless, AD is also a member of the European Greens, which, by and large, is a pro-choice grouping. Surely, AD's pro-life policy stands out in European circles. How does AD justify its position with its European partners? It does stand out. Not just with the Greens. Because this is the irony: all European parties agree that it is the woman who should decide. The Socialists, the Liberals, and – with few ex- ceptions – the Conservatives, too. Angela Merkel, for instance [is pro-choice]. In Ireland, it was the Christian Democrats who called for a referendum on abortion, and campaigned in favour. This, too, shows how much we need a discussion about it here in Malta… Do you think this issue is still being used to destroy AD (as, let's face it, it has been used for years)? Did Arnold Cassola's departure, weeks before a European election, damage the party? I think it did damage the par- ty, yes. Arnold Cassola might have been taking advantage of this national taboo to damage AD… but he alone knows what his motives were; I can't speak on his behalf. What I can say is that… egocentric individuals are a bigger problem for small parties, than for big ones. Each party has members who – how can I put this? – are perhaps a little narcissistic. Let me use that word. But in a small party, the effect is felt much more. Let's expand onto the other parties, then. I saw a correlative between Arnold Cassola's departure, and the surprise resignation of Godfrey and Marlene Farrugia from PD. Meanwhile, the The political landscape has changed beyond recognition, but Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party [AD] still struggles to set its stamp on the national political psyche. Secretary-general RALPH CASSAR stands by his party's record of 30 years of consistent 'principles and values' Campaigning in a material Raphael Vassallo Raphael Vassallo rvassallo@mediatoday.com.mt