The Nationalist Party is setting up stalls in La Valetta Square, right next to the La Valette monument, in spite of an uproar earlier this year when kiosks had been set up there for Carnival activities.

The stalls, together with an area where public discussions will take place with the participation of Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil, are being set up in the square where the PN will be holding its activities to celebrate Independence Day. It is the first time that the PN has shunned the Granaries in Floriana to hold its events in Valletta.

In February, there had been uproar when kiosks had been set up next to the La Valetta monument for Carnival events. The PN’s own news portal Malta Right Now had also criticised the idea in an article called “Tal-Hot Dogs jitlaq, imma jiżdiedu l-gabbani” (The hot dogs stand leaves, but more stalls enter). In the article, they refer to the kiosk that had been placed as “controversial”.

Mayor Alexiei Dingli, who was elected on behalf of the Nationalist Party, at the time had said that “It is unacceptable that a kiosk is placed there and given a permit to operate”.

PN Secretary General Rosette Thake said that “for the Independence Day celebrations, we had the occasion the show what our concept of a celebration is, turning these outside spaces into a home to greet and encompass all people entering the capital for celebrations”.

Turning to the criticism made in the past when kiosks were installed for Carnival, the PN Secretary General said there is a huge difference between what was done then and now. “We went through great pains to ensure that any installation uses natural material – wood, plants. We are not talking about a permanent Monti here, but installations temporarily set up for celebrations”

She explained that the installations will be removed by Monday.