During the press conference in which the Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party explained its proposals and priorities when it is in parliament as part of a coalition government, the party leader Dr. Harry Vassallo insisted that, in spite of other propaganda the Nationalist Government with the silent complicity of the Labour Party, is a failure in environmental issues. Both parties have endeavored to serve the interests of speculators and contractors that finance the other parties.

Dr. Vassallo said that the “regulator of planning and environmental protection who is in charge of upholding the interests of the community and of protecting the environment, was and still is subject to political pressure. Because of this, the same regulator has lost the credibility needed in such a position. MEPA is being seen as strong with the weak and weak with the strong. After we joined the EU, the government is more interested in avoiding the EU environmental regulations than really actualizing them. We can all see the effect of such behavior in the disgraced of the countryside and the useless and endless construction in our villages and cities.”

Dr. Vassallo said that in 2006 the PN itself added to the Development Zones. Thus, this party has ignored the degradation and the devastation of the environment in residential zones. There are 53,000 empty houses in Malta and Gozo. The government has increased the permissible height for houses. Now, new houses are being demolished to be replaced by apartments. Dr.Vassallo reminded all the citizens that it was only AD as a political party who took legal action in the case of the development zones and brought it to the attention of the EU to look into any breach of the European Law. The Nationalist Government and Minister Pullicino were more concerned with the interests of contractors than those of the general public.

Dr. Vassallo mentioned that it is a great honor for the AD party that architect Carmel Cacopardo has chosen to resign from the PN to join AD and contest the general election with AD in the 3rd and the 11th district. He is well known for his integrity in pursuing a more democratic and just way of processing planning issues,

During the press conference Carmel Cacopardo, the spokesperson for AD about sustainable development, explained the AD proposals regarding planning and the protection of the environment. Carmel Cacopardo said that when AD is in a coalition government, it will work for a reform of MEPA so that the protection of the environment will be in a distinct forum form the Planning and Development. The appointment of the Board for these entities will be appointed after the nomination has been considered and approved by a committee of Parliament.

Carmel Cacopardo insisted that ‘ Alternattiva Demokratika guarantees that in a coalition government there will not be any intrusion into the works of these entities by the government of the time’.

Another AD proposal clarified by Carmel Cacopardo is the use of a referendum for the approval of big projects. “AD will democratize the process of planning and development in a coalition Government. All projects which require an EIA (environmental impact assessment) would be subjected to a referendum in the respective area before a project is approved. Residents of the area will be given access to all the studies connected with the proposed project. On top of that, a 10% representation of the local residents can call a referendum. The local Council can do the same also about a proposed project in their area.” AD proposed also to introduce local referenda for projects subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment. “Had this been legislated, the Qala referendum regarding Hondoq ir-Rummien development would have been legally binding” said Architect Cacopardo.