ABBA (Maltese: Partit ABBA) is a far-right and Christian right political party in Malta.
ABBA Partit ABBA | |
|---|---|
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| Leader | Ivan Grech Mintoff |
| Founded | 22 October 2021 |
| Preceded by | Alleanza Bidla |
| Youth wing | ABBA Youths |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | Far-right[1][6] |
| European affiliation | European Christian Political Movement |
| Colours | White Red Purple |
| Slogan | "Dignity to Malta" (Maltese: "Dinjità lil Malta") |
| House of Representatives | 0 / 79 |
| Website | |
| abba.mt | |
History
editThe party was founded in 2021 by Ivan Grech Mintoff, the former leader of Alleanza Bidla.[7] The party's registrations was initially refused by the Electoral Commission due to the party's name not being able to be shortened to an acronym. In response to this ABBA filed a judicial protest claiming the commission was discriminating against them. The Electoral Commission later agreed to register the party.[7][8] ABBA took part in the 2022 Maltese General Elections with candidates in all 13 districts,[9] they received 0.42% of votes.[10] Most ABBA candidates which ran in the election are also members of the Christian Charismatic Pentecostal group River of Love.[11]
Ideology
editABBA is against COVID restrictions, forming two trade unions in an attempt to fight against them.[12] The party wishes for a national referendum to take place on the Recreational Use of Cannabis, stating the laws introduced that partially legalised recreational cannabis in Malta go against their Christian beliefs.[13]
The party describes itself as pro-life, with founder Ivan Mintoff claiming the Labour and Nationalist parties are "proposing a culture of death" and wish to legalise abortion. The party has filed a police complaint demanding the criminal investigation of 18 Maltese pro-choice activists and organisations.[14] Certain members of the party have espoused various controversial beliefs such as vaccine scepticism, being in favour of freedom of choice.[15]
Election results
editHouse of Representatives
edit| Election | Leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Rank | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Ivan Grech Mintoff | 1,364 | 0.46% | 0 / 79
|
New | 5th | Extra-parliamentary |
European Parliament
edit| Election | Leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Rank | EP Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Ivan Grech Mintoff | 527 | 0.20 | 0 / 6
|
New |  5th
|
– |
References
edit- ^ a b "Who needs the Far Right, anyway, when we have PN/PL?". MaltaToday.com.mt.
- ^ "New party ABBA looks to River of Love for election candidates". Times of Malta.
- ^ Mallia, Amy (29 March 2022). "From ABBA To Żaren: Here's How Malta's Small Political Parties And Independent Candidates Did This Election". Lovin Malta.
- ^ "Election Playbook: Getting an ABBA-ortion". MaltaToday.com.mt.
- ^ "ABBA goes to court over registration as political party". Times of Malta.
- ^ a b Cilia, Johnathan (7 March 2022). "Gay Conversion Advocate, Far Right Candidates And More Join 'Religious' Party ABBA". Lovin Malta.
- ^ a b "ABBA registered as a new political party". Times of Malta. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
- ^ "ABBA goes to court over registration as political party". Times of Malta. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
- ^ "Electoral Commission of Malta General Election 2022 - All nominations". electoral.gov.mt. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
- ^ "Electoral Commission of Malta". electoral.gov.mt. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
- ^ "New party ABBA looks to River of Love for election candidates". Times of Malta. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
- ^ "ABBA sets up trade unions to fight against COVID restrictions". Times of Malta. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
- ^ Bonnici, Kelly (2022-02-15). "Recreational Use of Cannabis: A National Referendum". Abba. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
- ^ "ABBA wants police to investigate 18 activists for breaking abortion laws". Times of Malta. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
- ^ Cilia, Johnathan (2022-03-07). "Gay Conversion Advocate, Far Right Candidates And More Join 'Religious' Party ABBA". Lovin Malta. Retrieved 2022-03-29.