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Mario Mallia, a long standing stalwart and deputy chairperson of Alternattiva Demokratika, is quizzed by Julian Manduca on his party’s prospects and the radical changes he expects from Maltese politicians
Malta’s third party, Alternattiva Demokratika, is virtually identified solely with its chairman Dr Harry Vassallo and MEP candidate Arnold Cassola, but standing a short step behind Vassallo is his second in command, Mario Mallia. The man with the silver voice behind some excellent political commentaries on Capital Radio is well aware of his party’s deficiencies, but still sees a bright future.
Compared to the two large political parties that these islands enjoy, AD remains the one best poised to put forward a radical agenda for change that many expect, and
Mallia believes these changes are necessary.
“Our parliament needs major change – it cannot remain a parliament of part timers. Members of Parliament should be full-timers and as much as possible debate in the plenary sessions should be cut down so that research is done and decisions are taken in the Parliamentary Committees,” Mallia says.
With parliamentary expert Lawrence Gonzi soon at the helm of the country, this should be an issue well understood, and I ask Mallia what he thinks of the man.
“I believe Dr Lawrence Gonzi has his strong points – one of which is his ability to discuss and to bring people to the table. We will still have to judge his decision making abilities.”
Economics may not be Gonzi’s forte, but Mallia says he personally prefers a leader that is grounded in the countries social requirements and then tries to manage the economy with that frame of mind, rather than the other way round.
Mallia is worried, however, by the fact that Gonzi does not agree with quotas for women and firmly believes that a situation should be created for women to participate more fully in the paid economy. “Day care centres should be put at the top of the agenda, it is ridiculous to think that the beautifying of our roundabouts has been given more importance than day care centres that would allow more women to work full time.”
Turning to Gonzi’s election, Mallia said: “It was evident that there were many hidden hands at play pushing in one direction or another. But the status of Eddie Fenech Adami assisted Gonzi in his election.”
Asked whether hidden hands had a positive or negative impact on the outcome, Mallia said “it is too early to judge.”
Mallia would like to see parliamentarians changing their attitude and not hide behind independent authorities or other ministers if they disagree on issues.
“There is need for healthy debate. Our ministers and parliamentarians need to change their attitude and should have the courage to disagree publicly with their colleagues. If Lawrence Gonzi believes the environment should be a top priority for this government he should not have said he would rely on the experts in the landfill decision, he should have said he will be changing the decision.”
Turning to the big party in opposition Mario Mallia’s name is to be added to the ever growing list of those that believe the Labour Party would be better and a more effective opposition if Alfred Sant was not at the helm. “I am not at all happy with the MLP’s performance. It had the opportunity to regenerate itself, but Alfred Sant would have done better to leave the leadership to someone else. Sant’s Europhobic stance is not easily reconciled with what he is now telling his supporters.”
Mallia makes a strong call for more creative thinking and expects the Labour Party too to come up with better ideas. “Even the environment can be an area that can create jobs. But we have a big mismatch between the jobs that could be available and our education and training plans, and although MCAST is a step in the right direction, we may still be losing foreign direct investment as we do not have the trained human resources to supply the required personnel.”
He accuses the political parties of major mistakes including inaction at the Drydocks which now, many years down the line have left Malta in a precarious situation. Mallia recalls the Appledore report which pointed the way forward for the Drydocks, and said it was not followed.
But the same lack of attention has been the case for health care, pension reform and reform of government institutions such as Air Malta, Maltacom, Maltapost, our waste plans, including the scandalous decision to site a landfill so close to the Neolithic temples, Mallia notes. “To a great extent the government was asleep and failed to tackle important issues. We are now left to suffer the consequences. The auditor general has pointed out that there are hundreds of millions of Liri that the government has minimal chance of recovering.”
The elections to the EU parliament are the next major elections in a series that have almost brought the country to a halt, but they are of particular interest to AD and Mario Mallia expects his party to do well. “The country is in a situation that necessitates the involvement of AD at every level of politics. It is now painfully clear how the two large parties have operated using a system of blackmail over the years that resulted in bad management and many major mistakes.” Mallia also believes that the two party system has other deleterious impacts: “Our resources are never being maximised, we always have fifty percent of the population yawning – those that do not feel part of the government.”
“All this has to change. Malta needs more accountability, the Maltese need more access to information. Rather than living in a situation of continual confrontation we have to move forward and develop a system of alliances.” Pushed to say what were the realistic chances of Arnold Cassola at the upcoming elections Mallia given Malta’s state of affairs: “Experience teaches us not to take anything for granted in politics, but I expect he will be elected.”
In the context of the run ups to elections in Malta and AD recent bitter experience with Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami before the last elections, Mallia’s optimism may seem misplaced to some, and even he recognises that the media could be a stumbling block.
AD is calling on PBS to start the broadcasts related the European Parliamentary election campaigns from now and sees no reason why the national TV station should wait for the Nationalist Party to appoint its candidates. “We are going to do all we can and have informed both PBS and the Broadcasting Authority that while the other parties have their own media to promote their causes, it seems that a decision has not been taken to start the schedule of programmes related to the elections because the PN is not ready, putting AD at a disadvantage.
“The broadcasts should start immediately, as the Broadcasting Authority should be ensuring that all the parties including AD get a fair deal.”
Speaking to Mallia about Alternattiva’s own situation, Mallia recognises that his party faces difficulties in attracting good calibre people. “From its inception AD presented a challenge to the prevalent culture. We were and still are asking for a paradigm shift from the country. Asking for change is risky, and can involve personal risk, so that is why people may not be coming forward.”
AD did however start off with a strong team but over the years since its inception, few have taken up its public posts. Indeed at a general election in the remote case that AD was elected into power doubts could be shed on its ability to fill all the ministerial posts.
“We have had some good people some of whom have since left, but the worst mistake a party can make is to make a person indispensable. In that sense we have moved forward because we work well as a team. We do have valid people, even if they do not have a high profile so far, but I expect that they will in the future. We also have some very valid women including, Natalie Debono.”
The Labour Party was not able to present women in its list of eight MEP candidates, and AD has two women on its committee, but has adopted a policy that 30 percent of its posts are to be filled by women. “It is understandable that women are not enthusiastic to be in Parliament, the hours are inhuman and one is expected to spend much time with one’s constituents. Above the parliamentary work one may also have an official position – we are expecting people to be super-humans.”
Asked whether he would like one day to be chairperson of AD, Mallia gave a typical politicians reply: “We work well as a team and I have never considered the possibility of becoming chairperson.”
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