Franco Debono Warns Quality Of Third Party Candidates Seriously Declined
Franco Debono warned that the quality of third party candidates has seriously declined over the past three decades and said this is an issue that the new emerging parties must address.
Debono went back to 1992, the first time Alternattiva Demokratika contested a general election. Back then, it fielded a strong line-up of candidates, including Toni Abela and Wenzu Mintoff, who later went on to become judges.
The likes of Prof Harry Vassallo, Peppi Azzopardi, Saviour Balzan, Sandro Mangion and Arnold Cassola were also on AD’s ticket.
It obtained 1.69% of the vote in 1992, compared to 1.61% at the 2022 general election, indicating it hasn’t made any electoral progress.
However, Debono warned the problem is even more serious.
“It may look like a small decline over almost 35 years but when you consider that society has become more liberal and that it should be more informed than it was back then, this is a catastrophic result,” he said.
“What is even more concerning is that the quality of the people this party has attracted has declined over the years.”
“While I have often remarked that Malta is the only country in Europe with only two parties in Parliament, I urge those who are taking the initiative of setting up new parties to look carefully at AD’s 1992 lineup and use that standard as a point of departure.”
“You need a group of people of substance. You can’t form a party with three or four people, and neither will you succeed with 20 people of no substance.”
Do you agree with Debono’s argument?
READ NEXT: 12 Y-Plate Vehicles Confiscated For Being On The Road Without Permission
