On Sunday, MIDI plc, the company holding a 99-year concession for Manoel Island granted in 2000, acknowledged the growing public and governmental pressure for a rethinking of the island's future. While asserting compliance with its contractual obligations, MIDI signalled readiness to engage in constructive negotiations with the government. It also acknowledged the shift in national priorities, particularly the government's intention to transform the island into a national park.
This marks a significant moment in Maltese environmental politics. A broad alliance of voices-ranging from environmental NGOs and civil society groups to residents and politicians-has helped shift the tide toward reclaiming this iconic space for the public. This shows that unity, perseverance, and inclusive campaigning can indeed bring about meaningful change.
The legal and financial ramifications of this policy development have to be articulated and played out in the political, legal, and financial fields. The developments which have taken place since Sunday, including the Prime Minister's bold statements and MIDI's reaction do not point towards a simple solution.
However, as things stand, Manoel Island represents big victory for all those involved.
The campaign Manoel Island: Post Għalina stands out for its inclusive and constructive approach. Unlike divisive or sectarian strategies, this initiative welcomed diverse stakeholders without claiming some quasi-holy superiority or resorting to cancel culture. This spirit of democratic engagement allowed for widespread participation, resulting in a powerful social force. In short, one could belong to this campaign.
The petition signed by 29,000 citizens, and the mobilization of over 40 NGOs, including frontliners Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) and Moviment Graffitti, made the call for a public park impossible to ignore.
The campaign has deep roots. Activists, residents, and greens have been fighting for Manoel Island since 1999, employing varied repertoires of action. These ranged from legal challenges and planning appeals to residents' community action, public protests, direct action, and symbolic interventions-such as the Graffitti-led cutting of illegally installed fences in 2016 - to FAA's successful appeal against development plans and its emphasis on preserving heritage and public space was instrumental. I believe that behind-the-scenes advocacy also played a crucial role, as did the growing awareness within political parties of the broad public support for reclaiming the island.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Robert Abela described his dream of returning Manoel Island to the people, echoing the momentum generated by civil society and clearly redesigning the political parameters. His statement, along with that of Opposition leader Bernard Grech (who since then has resigned)'s reference to the National Audit Office, highlighted an eventual bipartisan consensus and underlined the symbolic and potentially material implications of political support for environmental justice. Some may deride such policy shifts as U-turns or inevitable compromise to avoid bigger political challenges. Others may say that this is democracy in action.
In the past, similar strategies have brought success in other cases such as Hondoq ir-Rummien, the M'Scala Yacht Marina proposal, the Rabat and Xagħra l-Ħamra Golf Courses, and the Zonqor university, just to name a few: In each, inclusive strategies and coalitions prevailed. Manoel Island may soon become another emblem of how democratic mobilisation can shape the future.
Unity brings strength. This is democracy in action. Well done and thank you to all who made and are making this possible.
Prof. Michael Briguglio is an Associate Professor at the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, University of Malta
www.michaelbriguglio.com