Alternattiva Demokratika has said that it congratulates Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat on their joint choice of George Abela as President of the Republic.

Arnold Cassola, AD Chairperson, said, “In our view, George Abela is a person who can unify the nation as his politics was always non-confrontational. He is certainly a most suitable candidate for the post of President of the Republic of Malta and we are convinced that his appointment will enhance the symbol of nationhood of our country.”

“Alternattiva Demokratika has always insisted with Dr Gonzi and Dr Muscat that our country could not continue electing our Presidents with only a simple majority vote in parliament, as has happened in the past 33 years, and that our aim was to contribute to a President supported by at least 80 per cent of our 69 parliamentarians”, said Prof. Cassola.

“We are happy to see that Dr Gonzi and Dr Muscat have heeded the call of the majority of the Maltese and Gozitans and have risen to the occasion by agreeing on a national figure that symbolises unity.”

Prof. Cassola concluded, “AD has no direct say in the appointment of the President. We have, however, tried our best to contribute to having a unifying figure as President. We sincerely hope that, when our parliamentarians cast their vote for the nomination of the President of the Republic, the love for their country prevails over the attachment to their party. AD hopes that the consensual selection of the new President will usher in a new way of doing politics in Malta.”