Independent MEP candidate and former Mosta mayor Edwin Vassallo described the Mosta square infrastructural project to partially pedestrianise one of the busiest areas in the heart of the island, as a “great waste of money.”

Vassallo was speaking in an interview with The Malta Independent, where he was asked about his thoughts on the town’s current situation, as well as the current mayor.

Vassallo served as Mayor of Mosta from 2015 to 2016. The locality recently found itself under the spotlight, mainly due to the Mosta square project, as well as the incident surrounding an attempt to remove mature Ficus trees close to the same square, which led to protests for their protection. Current Mosta Mayor Chris Grech has received criticism on his decisions.

"With regards to Mosta, there is no direction when it comes to community," Vassallo said.

He said that projects carried out in Mosta and anywhere else, which are mostly funded by the European Union, are being spent recklessly, with "everyone taking their ten cents via commissions."

He condemned the excess amounts of money spent on projects which are managed and planned badly. Vassallo said that if there was the need to remove a cable underneath the newly laid pavement, the entire pavement would have to be broken.

"Everything looks nice, yet at the same time, when there is damage, everything needs to be destroyed again," Vassallo said.

He said that the Mosta square project was a "great waste of money." Vassallo said that today, the norm has become to carry out projects and continue spending money.

The country's debt continues to grow in the meantime, Vassallo remarked, adding that this is the mentality.

He said that had he been the Mayor acting in this way, “the Labour's media would be camping in the square.”

He said that there is no responsibility towards the people, yet there is a great sense of responsibility towards carrying out projects.

"I envy Mayor of Gzira Conrad Borg Manche, who defended the people while projects were being carried out," Vassallo said, adding that in Mosta's case, the mayor only defends the projects.

"Questions arise, but answers are not given," Vassallo said.

The PN was also not there to oppose the amount of money spent, Vassallo remarked.

Vassallo continued that there is a hidden camera in the square which issues a fine and deducts three points for those who drive around a centre strip, which he described as outrageous, given the existing centre strip in the main road.

He said that there are also plans to remove the parking space for some sort of 'green project,' behind the Mosta square, which he said would "kill the businesses" in the vicinity. Vassallo said that additionally, there were no alternative parking plans made.

"People will not even be able to go to this supposed garden they are planning to build, as people go to where they are able to drive and park," Vassallo said.

 

Censorship of independent candidates is very worrisome – Independent Candidate

Vassallo also spoke about the Broadcasting Authority, and the schedule it prepared for debates ahead of the upcoming elections.

The PL and PN will have five debates between them, while Sandra Gauci (ADPD), Norman Lowell (Imperium Europa), Matthias Iannis Portelli (Volt), Ivan Grech Mintoff (ABBA) will be given one debate each with the PN and PL.

Independent candidates were excluded from debating with the political parties, and were only offered the opportunity to engage in a debate with fellow independents. They were also only granted a five minute slot for independent speaking, and a 45 minute debate among other independents.

Vassallo said that he is worried about the censorship of independent candidates, as himself and other independent candidates have been sidelined from all debates involving political parties, including the two major political factions, the Nationalist Party and the Labour Party.

"There is no debate or an opportunity for debate," Vassallo said. He said that the system is there to continue helping the two parties stay as is.

"You could tell me that I benefited from it, that's true. But should I keep my mouth shut if there is something wrong?" Vassallo asked, adding that he advocates for the good of the people. Vassallo was a PN MP up until 2022, and has been an independent self-described ‘radical’ since.

Vassallo said that everyone's beliefs have the right to be voiced, and the mainstream media should increasingly pay more attention to independent candidates.

"Why shouldn't we debate on equal footing? Why do we have a debate for MEPs, and yet the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader are participating? They're not the ones contesting," Vassallo said.

He said that this is proof that freedom is being threatened, and that the time should be better managed to have a healthy debate, to show alternative thoughts to the public.

Vassallo said that the country has a lack of a culture which respects the alternative. "Why is it that in this country, equality is being defined as 'more of the same,' rather than respect towards diversity?" he asked.

He said that hopefully, independent candidates can give a reason to those who plan not to vote, to go out and do so, to try to change the narrative and the current political establishment.

 

An interview with Edwin Vassallo can be read here