Democratic Party (Malta)

Democratic Party
Partit Demokratiku
Abbreviation PD
Leader Godfrey Farrugia
Deputy Leader Timothy Alden
Founded 2016 (2016)
Split from Labour Party
Ideology Social liberalism
Social justice
Environmentalism
Pro-Europeanism
Political position Centre-left
European affiliation Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
Colours      Orange
House of Representatives
2 / 67
European Parliament
0 / 6
Website
www.pd.org.mt

The Democratic Party (Maltese: Partit Demokratiku, PD) is a centre-left[1] political party in Malta. The PD was founded in 2016 by Marlene Farrugia, who previously sat as an MP for the Labour Party before leaving the party and sitting as an independent MP. Announcing the formation of the new party in June 2016, Farrugia as interim leader stated that the party was a new alternative to the traditionally dominant Labour and Nationalist parties.[2]

History

Upon formation, founder Marlene Farrugia was declared interim leader. On 21 October 2016, Farrugia was elected the first leader of the PD at a general meeting to confirm the party executive.[3] The party was formally registered with the Electoral Commission in November 2016.[4]

Policies

PD's main proposed policies include:

  • Prevent people from getting persecuted and fired from their jobs just for their political beliefs.
  • Update institutions and government to modern standards of governance.[5]
  • Economy would not depend on construction, and it would be diversified to encourage the Maltese people to work in new fields.
  • Call for an establishment of a lobbyist register. The lobbyists' work would be to influence the running of the country strategically for their benefit or the benefit of those they represent. The party believes they will be accountable only to their employers, their shareholders, or the consumers of commercial business, and use either money or influence to pave their way.[6]

Environment

PD believes that the development has to be planned on a long term process, with village cores, natural resources, open spaces and shared heritage needing to be protected and made used of in a sustainable way.[7] The party also calls for the conservation of gardens and green spaces in residential areas.[8]

Refugees/Economic Migrants

PD believes that Europe should handle genuine refugees with a burden-sharing mechanism across the European Union. On economic migration, PD thinks it is useless for the government to employ thousands of people to do low-paid jobs, and then import foreign workers in a limited space. The party believes Malta's population can grow but it must be in a healthy and sustainable way for all people to live here without discrimination.

Elections

2017 general elections

Farrugia stated in January 2017 that the PD was "close" to forming a deal with the opposition Nationalist Party where the two parties would cooperate against the Labour government, though she did not specify if such a deal would be a formal coalition.[9] On 7 April 2017 Farrugia confirmed in an interview with the Times of Malta that PD candidates would be listed as Nationalist Party candidates on the ballot for the 2017 general election.[10] Despite reaching agreement about running candidates under the same banner, formal coalition negotiations remained ongoing[11] until the announcement of a formal agreement on 28 April.[12] Under the agreement, PD candidates contested the 2017 election with their party affiliation listed as Nationalist "tal-oranġjo" (the orange ones) and any PD candidates elected to Parliament would have been part of a Nationalist-led government.[12] Both Marlene Farrugia and Godfrey Farrugia were the only Democratic Party candidates to be elected in 2017, making them the first elected Members of Parliament from a third party since 1962.[13]

Post-2017 elections

Marlene Farrugia formally resigned from the Leadership of the Partit Demokratiku on 21 August 2017, as part of the process of giving the party an identity distinct from herself.[14] On 30 October 2017, Anthony Buttigieg was declared the new leader, with Marlene Farrugia and Godfrey Farrugia providing parliamentary continuity in the executive.[15] On 1 December 2017 the PD was admitted into the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party.[16]

Leaders

Party Executive Council

Election results

General elections

Election Leader Votes % Seats +/– Position Government
2017 Marlene Farrugia 4,846 1.6
2 / 67
 New Increase 3rd Opposition (in electoral alliance with the PN)

See also

References

  1. ↑ Balzan, Jurgen (1 June 2016). "Launch of new political party imminent". Malta Today. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016.
  2. ↑ "Marlene Farrugia is temporary leader of new Democratic Party". Times of Malta. 4 June 2016. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016.
  3. ↑ Scicluna, Martin (16 November 2016). "The Marlene effect". Times of Malta. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  4. ↑ "Ħames partiti japplikaw għar-reġistrazzjoni - tal-PL ikollha tistenna". TVM News (in Maltese). 18 November 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  5. ↑ "Partit Demokratiku reiterates call for good governance - The Malta Independent". www.independent.com.mt. Retrieved 2018-06-24.
  6. ↑ "PD calls for the establishment of a Lobbyist Register". Partit Demokratiku. Retrieved 2018-08-20.
  7. ↑ "Environmental Stewardship". Partit Demokratiku. Retrieved 2018-08-20.
  8. ↑ "PD calls for conservation of few remaining gardens, green spaces in residential areas - The Malta Independent". www.independent.com.mt. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  9. ↑ "PN, Democratic Party close to a deal – Marlene Farrugia". The Malta Independent. 24 January 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  10. ↑ Grech, Herman (7 April 2017). "PD candidates to contest election under PN banner". Times of Malta. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  11. ↑ Attard, Rachel (11 April 2017). "Busuttil insists that PN/PD coalition still under discussion". The Malta Independent. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  12. 1 2 Camilleri, Ivan (28 April 2017). "PD candidates to contest on PN list". Times of Malta. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  13. ↑ Borg, Bertrand (6 June 2017). "Marlene Farrugia's election met with counting hall taunts". Times of Malta. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  14. ↑ Ltd, Allied Newspapers. "Watch: Marlene Farrugia's election met with counting hall taunts".
  15. ↑ "Anthony Buttigieg is new Democratic Party leader".
  16. ↑ "ALDE welcomes new member parties | ALDE Party". Aldeparty.eu. 2017-11-30. Retrieved 2018-06-09.
  17. ↑ "Dr Godfrey Farrugia appointed Leader of Partit Demokratiku". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2018-10-13.
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