Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party held its Annual General Meeting yesterday at the Juliani Hotel in Saint Julians. The party approved its candidates for the June 2009 election by secret ballot. Yvonne Ebejer Arqueros and Arnold Cassola will be standing for AD.

Yvonne Ebejer Arqueros was born in 1964. She is a mother of three children: a 19 year old son, a 14 year old daughter and a 9 year old son.

Yvonne is a PSD teacher in the primary sector. She studied pedagogy and drama. She spent a year studying in the Ukraine. Yvonne also finds time for voluntary work in the social field. She did voluntary work with Appogg and also with Dar it-Tama. Some years ago Yvonne was active in the women’s group Women for Peace and Equality.

Yvonne Ebejer Arqueros says: “I dearly believe in all the principles of AD and since I strongly love my children and my country I decided I wanted to do something concrete to improve and change my country for the better.”

Through her work and constant contact with parents, Yvonne Ebejer Arqueros understands people’s needs and aspirations. She believes that she can contribute to bring about changes for the better. “I strongly believe that we need a AD MEP and I believe that this country needs to breathe and AD, with our progressive and forward looking policies, is that fresh air.”

Arnold Cassola was born in Sliema, Malta. He is an Associate Professor in Comparative Literature at the University of Malta. He has taught at the Universities of Catania (1981-83) and Roma “La Sapienza” (1983-88). In 1999 he was elected Secretary General of the European Green Party, the only non EU citizen ever elected as Secretary General of any European Political Party. In 2003 he was honoured with the title of Cavaliere della Repubblica Italiana by the Italian President of the Republic Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi for cultural merits, in particular those concerning relations between Italy and Malta. Arnold Cassola is the author/editor of over thirty books on the history, literature, language and culture of Malta as well as of books on Green politics in Malta and Europe. He is the author of scores of academic papers in various countries. Apart from Malta, he has studied and worked in Italy, Belgium and Switzerland. Yvonne Ebejer Arqueros thanked the party for choosing her as a candidate for the EP elections. She said that the party must make a bigger effort to be closer to the people. “It is important that more and more people, including the 23,000 who voted for AD in 2004, to realize that AD in the European Parliament can work more effectively to defend the interests of all those who believe in a social Europe and in a greener Europe. AD will insist on issues the others neglect.”

In his closing speech party Chairperson Arnold Cassola said that the global financial crisis is no surprise given the speculative activities of major financial institutions. “The economic crisis and the price of fuel and food is affecting everyone. These problems together with increasing pollution and climate change demand strong political leadership. AD has been asking for investment in renewable and clean energy for the past 19 years. They used to make fun of us for making such proposals. Now these same people are repeating our words.”

“What is worrying however is the brash and savage way in which the Nationalist government is going to increase water and electricity bills. The proposals are socially regressive – those who use less will see a heftier increase than those who waste. Where is the logic in this? Where is the justice in such proposals?”

“All this is happening because of years of neglect. George Pullicino, Tonio Fenech and Austin Gatt’s attitude is unacceptable. They too are responsible for the government’s neglect. All this shows that Lawrence Gonzi’s promises prior to the elections were just hot air.”

“AD reiterates its call for real dialogue and proper long term planning,” concluded Dr. Cassola.

Permalink: AD approves European Parliament candidates