Alternattiva Demokratika, The Green Party, has issued a challenge to Prime Minister Gonzi, following comments he made this week during an interview on television.

Dr. Harry Vassallo said that "during the interview Dr. Gonzi was asked what intentions he had regarding the promised reform in the rent laws, an issue that has been raised by the Greens. Dr. Gonzi replied saying that he would very soon write to the opposition to present his proposals. We believe that, once again, the Prime Minister is bluffing. People who have not received any justice can no longer be treated with such deception and disrespect.

Over the last two years several promises were made by Minister Cristina that a White Paper on rent reform was finalised. She has on several occasions promised that this White Paper will be presented to the cabinet. This was never done. The Nationalist government continues to dodge this issue, whilst Labour does not have the courage to a propose a solution to a problem that has dealt severe injustice to thousands of families over more than sixty years."

Dr. Vassallo challenged Prime Minister Gonzi, to include in this budget, the proposals made by Alternattiva Demokratika during the pre-budget period. He said that "at the pre-budget stage we proposed that in the absence of any reform in the rent laws, the government should commit from this budget to compensate property owners for the fact that they are being cheated out of a fair return for their property. Specifically we proposed that from 2008, government should pay property owners one-third of the fair rental value of the properties. In the absence of any reform in the law this amount should increase to two-thirds of the fair rent value in 2009, and full compensation in 2010. It is disgraceful that after 20 years in government the Nationalists have failed on an electoral promise made way back in 1987. Labour should show some political maturity and support this proposal."

Dr. Vassallo added that "we are also challenging the Prime Minister to put an immediate end to the inheritance of controlled properties. No studies or White papers are necessary to implement our proposals, only political goodwill."