ABBA (political party)
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ABBA is a socially conservative, religious-right political party in Malta.
History
The party was founded in 2021 by Ivan Grech Mintoff, the former leader of Alleanza Bidla.[1]
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.[1][2]
ABBA took part in the 2022 Maltese General Elections with candidates in all 13 districts,[3], they received 0.42% of votes.[4] Some ABBA candidates which ran in the election where also members of the controversial religious group River of Love.[5][6]
Ideology
ABBA is against COVID restrictions, forming two trade unions in an attempt to fight against them.[7]
The party wishes for a national referendum to take place on the Recreational Use of Cannabis, believing the laws introduced that partially legalised recreational cannabis in Malta go against their Christian beliefs.[8]
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.[9]
Certain members of the party have espoused various controversial beliefs such as vaccine scepticism, being in favour of gay conversion therapy and Anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.[6]
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Cilia, Johnathan (2022-03-07). "Gay Conversion Advocate, Far Right Candidates And More Join 'Religious' Party ABBA". Lovin 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.