The meeting was called by the party Executive to discuss the general election results and to elect a new executive committee following the resignation of the whole party Executive.

Outgoing party chairperson Dr. Harry Vassallo thanked all those with whom he had worked as Chairperson throughout the past 9 years. He said that he feels that he did the best he could with the party’s limited resources. He urged the party to remain true to its ideals and said that AD was the only party coregeous enough to bring progressive and ecological issues on the political agenda. He said that the party is not hostage to any financially strong lobby. Dr. Vassallo said that he was not ‘slamming the door and leaving’ as some opinion writers were saying. He said that he wants to see a strong and effective party and urged everyone to give a helping hand.

The members present then approved by secret ballot the nominees for the executive committee. According to AD’s statute when posts are uncontested the nominees have to be approved by two-thirds (2/3) of party members attending a general meeting. Arnold Cassola was approved unanimously as the new party Chairperson.

Party Secretary General, Victor Galea thanked Dr. Harry Vassallo for his services to the party. He said that Dr. Vassallo had worked selflessly and untiringly at the helm of AD for nine years. Victor Galea then presented a gift to Dr. Vassallo and his wife on behalf of AD as a sign of appreciation and augured that Dr. Vassallo will continue offering his insight and expertise to the party.

In his address at the close of the extraordinary general meeting AD’s new Chairperson Dr. Arnold Cassola said that AD will continue making its voice herad – expressing its agreement if it agrees with policies and proposals but also criticizing and offering different solutions where necessary. Dr. Cassola said that goodwill can be shown by government by making an effort to consult all parties and seek an agreement on a person who can represent all Maltese and Gozitans as President of the Republic when the post is vacated next year. Dr. Cassola ended his speech by promising to do his best in his new role.

During the meeting, Carmel Cacopardo highlighted the most important points in the report commissioned by AD, an open discussion was held during which party members aired their views about the way forward for the party. Some members emphasised that the party needs to work harder to get its message across to a wider audience. Others praised the party’s principled stands on issues ranging from the environment to civil rights. Some members noted that AD needs to emphasize the link between the economy, labour issues and the environment. Other members who intervened during the discussion spoke of the importance of working at locality level and form a strong party base. Ralph Cassar, Arnold Cassola, Adrian Grima, Stephen Cachia, Alistair Farrugia, Jurgen Balzan, Carmel Hili, Robert Callus, David Mangion, Henrik Piski, Oison Dillon Jones were amongst those who intervened during the discussion.

Stephen Cachia, Deputy Chairperson, spoke of the need to keep on working closely with civil society and the independent media. He said that the party must cooperate with progressive movements and social and environmental NGOs to offer a strong, constructive and modern opposition to goverment. He called the conclusions of the investigation on the scandalous Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando Mistra case ‘whitewash’ – with government employees getting all the blame.

The executive committee elected during the extraordinary general meeting is composed as follows:
Arnold Cassola - Chairperson
Stephen Cachia - Deputy Chairperson
Mario Mallia - Deputy Chairperson
Victor Galea - General Secretary
Elaine Balzan - Deputy General Secretary
Ralph Cassar - Public Relations Officer(PRO)
Simon Galea - Treasurer
Mark Scerri - International Secretary
Richard Schranz - Deputy International Secretary
Henrik Piski - Membership official
Christian Mizzi - Activities Officer
Christian Holland - Member
Mary Anne Zammit - Member
Louisa Houlton - Member
Carmel Cacopardo - Member