What is your opinion on the current political situation in Malta?
There is a current situation of political uncertainty in Malta due to a PN MP. The correct way forward would be for the Prime Minister calling for new elections. One has to keep in mind that after the divorce referendum, the disaster in the public transform revolution and the several casts of the vote of the Speaker in Parliament rescuing the majority, new elections would have been the logical consequence. Especially in these times of financial turmults, a country needs a strong government in order to take the right decisions. Malta does not have that government.
Do you believe the Nationalist Party will be able to hold on to office until the end of term?
I really hope they will not. I can not imagine them passing major decisions in Parliament just relying on the Speaker’s vote. They would just create greater harm to themselves and the country and it would clearly prove that only power matters to them.
How are you participating in Alternattiva Demokratika’s campaign for the Local Elections?
I will contest the local elections in Qormi.
AD’s aim is to participate in all local council elections, to prove that AD can bring positive changes and an alternance to a local community. In the past, we had a few councilors elected in different councils and they all did a great job. Qormi also needs a Green councilor. There are many issues linked to health due to the poor air quality. Nothing has been done over the years to improve the quality of life of the residents, except the few feasts which have been lately introduced (panem et circenses). Bakeries are still harming citizens, some of them using used machine oil to start their ovens. Loopholes in the current laws allows them to operate in impunity. Like in many other towns, less emphasis is done one pedestrians, disabled persons or mothers wish pushchairs have to fight their way through busy car filled roads, there are no cycling ways. Qormi is also used as a transit for traffic, thus many cars passing during peak hours through the village core. If elected, I will contribute to reverse the trend, emptying the roads and giving more space to the people.
As spokesperson for Communications and IT, what are your comments on the situation in that area within the current government?
I deeply regret that the Government does not do his upmost to protect the data privacy of the Maltese. While other countries question and investigate companies breaching data privacy laws (for example Facebook and Google Streetview in Germany, spy software on mobile smartphones,..), nothing is happening here in Malta. ACTA is another example of clear failure. The government was negotiating like many other countries the treaty in secrecy, which clearly indicates that something was to hide.
What do you propose should be changed for improved Communications and IT policies in Malta?
I would create s watchdog for civil rights, a data privacy commissioner who role will be to more the data privacy of the citizens. Malta has a long tradition of collecting all sorts of data from their citizens, often for electoral purposes. I am often amazed how people know for example what the neighbor votes…More awareness of data privacy should be taught at school and explained in the media. The easiest way would be working on examples like Facebook. Many employers now check the Facebook profile of persons applying for a job, we have to be more carefull and more selective on our public postings for example. Other examples are loyalty cards which are very popular in supermarkets. The consumer collect redeemable points while the supermarket can create profiles of your habits and consumption.
What are your comments regarding the current ACTA issues in Malta? Do you think the agreement should have been signed by the Maltese government?
Definitely not. For example, the European Economic and Social Committe (EESC) stress that fundamental human rights, such as the right to information, health, sufficient food, the right of farmers to select seeds and the right to culture, are not taken sufficiently into consideration” in ACTA, and that “this will impact on future European legislation geared towards the harmonisation of Member States’ legislation.” According to the EESC, “ACTA’s approach is aimed at further strengthening the position of rights holders vis-à-vis the “public”, certain of whose fundamental rights (privacy, freedom of information, secrecy of correspondence, presumption of innocence) are becoming increasingly undermined by laws that are heavily biased in favour of content distributors. “. So far two European countries, Poland and Czech Republic, have refused to sign ACTA. We hope that the European Parliament will vote against it and we urge every Maltese to write to his MEP urging him to vote against.
Will you be attending protests or discussions by local Anti-ACTA movements?
Yes
