In their letter, the campaign stressed that public anger has only grown since the introduction of the bills.

“No form of consultation can appease this anger or repair this so-called ‘reform,’ which is flawed at its very core precisely because it was conceived with the wrong intention: that of enriching the few at the expense of the common good,” the letter reads.

The organisations insist that the government immediately withdraw the two bills and three legal notices, noting that citizens should not have to live under the constant threat of losing their basic rights and the places they hold dear.

Despite their criticism, the campaign emphasised that this is not a battle they want to fight. They reiterated their desire to work together with the government, residents, farmers, hobbyists, and other groups to create planning reform that benefits everyone.

“We still have the opportunity to work together… to achieve a planning reform that strengthens, rather than weakens, our country,” the letter states. However, they warn that if the government ignores their appeal, they will intensify their struggle in favour of Ġustizzja għal Artna.

As the debate over Malta’s planning laws continues, all eyes are now on Abela to see whether the Government will listen to citizens and organisations calling for real reform, or whether the campaign will have to ramp up its fight to protect the rights and spaces that matter most to the Maltese people.

What do you think should be done?

Photo credits to @movimentgraffitti