Tents Outside Parliament: Activists Take A Stand Against Planning Bills
Environmental activists have set up camp outside Malta’s parliament in Valletta, demanding the immediate withdrawal of two controversial planning reform bills.
The protest, organised by the campaign named “Ġustizzja għal Artna“, saw demonstrators arrive unannounced earlier today at 11 am, quickly erecting two dozen tents and chaining them together according to Times of Malta.
The activists aim to pressure the government to abandon Bills 143 and 144, along with a related legal notice introduced last summer, which they argue would grant excessive power to developers and undermine environmental protections.
The government maintains that the reforms are intended to streamline planning processes, enhance efficiency, and strengthen enforcement. However, the activists contend that the proposed changes would dismantle existing safeguards, limit citizens’ rights to appeal planning decisions, and grant the Planning Authority arbitrary powers. They have vowed to remain outside parliament “for as long as necessary” to ensure their message is heard.
This direct action precedes a larger planned protest, “Ġustizzja għal Artna: Together, We’ll Stop Them!”, scheduled for 27th October at 5.30 pm at the Law Courts, coinciding with the parliamentary budget speech.
The movement has garnered support from various environmental and heritage groups, including Moviment Graffiti, BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, and Friends of the Earth Malta, as well as over 160 university academics.
The activists emphasize that the fight to protect Malta’s communities, heritage, and democracy from what they describe as a “developers’ coup” will continue.
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Credit: Constitution Net
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