The Local Governance Board ruled today with regards to the freedom of expression of Local Councillors, saying that “Local Councillors not only have a right, but also a duty, to inform their local constituents of their opinions on political matters, including on the Referendum for the abolition of spring hunting.”

The Board added that, indeed “it was in the interests of the voters to know the views of the people they had elected, on matters of public interest.”

At the weekend the Federation for Hunting and Conservation had lodged a complaint regarding the opinion of two Councillors against spring hunting, made on the Attard Council facebook page.

In response, Alternatttiva Demokratika Chairperson Chairperson, Prof. Arnold Cassola, said, “we can not but applaud the President, Joe Mifsud, and the Local Governance Board for having taken the only plausible decision that can be taken in a democratic system.

Prof Cassola concluded, “the pathetic attempt by the FKNK officials to try and silence Attard Councillor Ralph Cassar (AD), and Vice-Mayor Marco Spiteri (PN) and by extension the voices of those who do not agree with them confirms their anti-democratic credentials and indeed gives an extra motivation to vote NO to all those who believe in freedom of speech. “Je suis Charlie” not only in Paris, but even in Malta.”

Permalink: AD applauds Local Governance Board ruling on Attard Councillors