Alternattiva Demokratika have announced their manifesto for the forthcoming general election. AD chairman Harry Vassallo said: "The political problems of this country stem from two roots - the use of land and the fact that the government consists of only one party. We want to create a coalition of parties, and although the majority of voters have no experience of a coalition, we feel that this is the most open way for voters to have a real democracy. However, the MLP and the PN are both keen on preserving the status quo."

"We are not an 'alternative' for the Nationalist Party or for the Labour Party - we are an alternative to having only one party in government," he added.

Dr Vassallo gave detailed highlights of the proposals that would be given priority, were they to form part of the next government. "With regard to the environment, we want a thorough reform of the Malta Environmental Planning Authority (Mepa) so the protection of the environment is once again separate from the planning authority in order to avoid having the former included as a kind of afterthought or whim during the planning process."

"We also want democratisation of the planning process, because residents deserve to have access to it, especially when it comes to projects that affect the whole community," he said.

"In addition, we want to make sure that all European Union directives are properly enforced, including the abolition of hunting and trapping during the Spring, once and for all, and the abrogation of the parliamentary resolution extending the development zones unnecessarily and without due consultation," Dr Vassallo continued.

"Ironically, the current government resists such changes promoted by the European Union and yet boasts about them when they are forced to comply with such directives," he added.

In order to promote democracy and civil rights, AD is proposing the enforcement of the law regarding the Right to Information, as well as a Whistleblower Act to provide immunity to those who reveal corruption, a law to regulate the financing of parties in order to avoid parties being unnecessarily influenced and controlled, legalisation for divorce and the legal recognition of cohabitation.

"AD also wants to extend maternity leave from 13 weeks to 26 weeks, as we are the country with the lowest level of maternity leave in Europe at present," said Dr Vassallo.

With regard to the economy, AD intends to gradually reduce the highest rate of income tax from 35 per cent to 30 per cent, while increasing the tax rate on the banks' revenue up to 40 per cent if necessary, in order to compensate for any reduction in government revenue as a result of this change. It also aims to reward those who use less electricity and more alternative energy by charging them a lower rate of surcharge, and to ensure that the application of the surcharge is linked to the price of oil.

AD secretary-general Victor Galea and spokesman on sustainable development Carmel Cacopardo were also present at the press conference.