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Young Environmentalist To Contest ‘Orange Party’ Leadership

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A 26-year-old environmentalist has thrown his hat in the ring for the leadership of the Partit Demokratiku, the ‘Orange Party’ which was until recently led by MP Marlene Farrugia. 

Timothy Alden, who works with environmental NGO Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar, told Lovin Malta he intends to “fully realise the promises of third party politics, breaking a stalemate that has lasted for generations”. 

“The stalemate in Maltese politics is stale, make no mistake. Across successive governments, I have heard the majority of people complaining about the same problems, and they never get addressed by any government,” he said. “These issues include corruption, the environment and many more besides.”

“People have wanted change for some time, and that momentum has already led to the election of two members of parliament from a third party. Nonetheless, we need to prove that the Partit Demokratiku represents that common ground, which people have so desperately waited for.”

Alden contested the last general election as a PD candidate on the eighth and ninth districts as part of the nascent party’s ‘Forza Nazzjonali’ coalition with the Nationalist Party. 

He is the second person to announce his intention to contest the newly-vacated leadership, following a declaration by doctor and former PD deputy leader Anthony Buttigieg.

His leadership announcement to Lovin Malta included a completely novel policy for Maltese politics – namely respect for Maltese people who speak English as their first language.

“Last year, I met with the President of Malta to discuss creating an online Maltese course, for the sake of Maltese people such as myself, who grew up abroad,” Alden said. “The Maltese across the Commonwealth are still our family, and they are still Maltese. Maltese identity is the result of a variety of influences from across history. Within our own country, we have subcultures between our very villages.”

“This also means we must finally acknowledge and respect those Maltese who speak English as a first language. We must encourage residents and expatriates to speak both fluent Maltese and English, and promote the use of both for cultural and economic reasons amongst all Maltese and migrants. I therefore propose to lead the Partit Demokratiku with politics of respect, acting as a bridge between the parties and between the different segments of the Maltese population, always seeking common ground. A third party is necessary, and a fresh approach is needed.”

“We must finally acknowledge and respect those Maltese who speak English as a first language”

Timothy Alden

“This also means we must finally acknowledge and respect those Maltese who speak English as a first language. We must encourage residents and expatriates to speak both fluent Maltese and English, and promote the use of both for cultural and economic reasons amongst all Maltese and migrants. I therefore propose to lead the Partit Demokratiku with politics of respect, acting as a bridge between the parties and between the different segments of the Maltese population, always seeking common ground. A third party is necessary, and a fresh approach is needed.”

Alden’s other proposals include integrating immigrants into Maltese society, combating the mentality of “football politics” with “politics of respect”, and promoting the protection of Malta’s environment, culture, and heritage. 

Is the future bright for the Partit Demokratiku? Let us know what you think in the comments’ section

READ NEXT: BREAKING: Malta’s Third Party Leader Resigns, Just Two Months After Making History

Tim is interested in the rapid evolution of human society and is passionate about justice, human rights and cutting-edge political debates. You can follow him on Instagram or Twitter/X at @timdiacono or reach out to him at [email protected]

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