The Government squandered a historic opportunity in Parliament when it failed to support the constitutional amendment that would have granted the environment the status of a fundamental right in the country's Constitution, Opposition Leader Alex Borg said in a comment on social media.

He noted that while on 28 July 2022 the Government was among the signatories of a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly recognising the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right, it is now objecting to a law that uses exactly the same wording. "If today the Government claims that this right poses a threat to hobbies or to sport, then it is admitting that it already voted against these at an international level. That is not the case," Alex Borg stressed.

He recalled how more than 100 countries around the world, including several European states such as Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Finland, France and Cyprus, already have some form of environmental right enshrined in their constitutions.

"This initiative was never a victory for the Partit Nazzjonalista or for the Opposition, but a step forward for the good of Malta and Gozo, for today's generation and for tomorrow's," the PN said in a statement.

The PN said it continues to believe that clean air, clean water and the protection of our natural heritage are basic rights which should not be tainted by partisan politics. "Therefore, with the utmost sense of responsibility, the PN will continue to put forward concrete proposals in favour of protecting the environment and Maltese identity."

"This is the moment for Malta to safeguard its identity and secure its future," Alex Borg concluded.