'No right to redefine democracy'

Pro-EU campaigners insisted yesterday that whoever is elected prime minister on April 12 was compelled to sign the EU Accession Treaty two days later in Athens.

No politician had the right to redefine democracy to suit his cause, Iva Movement officials told EU membership supporters yesterday.

Republic Street and St George's Square were transformed into a sea of blue and yellow as thousands of people turned up to celebrate last weekend's yes vote.

The crowd sang religiously to the song Nghidu Iva but their celebration was somewhat marred by the prospect that a future Labour government might not respect the referendum result.

Opposition leader Alfred Sant has claimed victory saying the government failed to win over more than half of all those eligible to vote.

Speaking at the end of a demonstration, Iva secretary David Casa hailed last Saturday's result as a huge victory, as the yes vote was secured with a 19,000 vote majority.

Mr Casa warned that there was a political leader who did not approve of the will of the majority. Malta risked being thrown years backwards if it allowed a certain politician to have his way.

In an obvious reference to Dr Sant, Mr Casa said there was a "dangerous" politician whose only interest was to try and drive his message through.

Nobody had the right to cause irresponsible acts at Ta' Qali and on the streets last Sunday in order to try and spoil a clear victory.

But the Maltese would not allow anybody to ignore the sovereign decision taken by the electorate last Saturday.

He urged those present to realise they had no choice but to vote for that party which safeguarded their March 8 vote.

Mr Casa revealed that the Iva Movement had planned to cease its operations last weekend but has been forced to extend its campaign in order to ensure "democracy is abided by".

Iva main spokesperson Joanna Drake said the rules of democracy were the same the world over and nobody had the right to give his own interpretation to what was ultimately a clear result.

Sadly though, as things had turned out, the battle was only half won, and the March 8 vote needed to be reconfirmed on April 12, she said.

Dr Drake appealed to those who chose to stay at home for the referendum to realise that it was not just a political party they would be electing in the coming general election.

"We have spoken out loud and clear, and our vote deserves to be respected," she said.

Revellers later celebrated the referendum victory at St George's Square.