Hundreds of protesters marched through Valletta on Monday evening, voicing their strong opposition to the government's controversial proposed planning bills, which critics say would hand sweeping powers to developers at the expense of public interests.
The protest, organised by the Ġustizzja għal Artna campaign, featured speeches calling on MPs to prioritize citizens over political loyalty and warned of lasting environmental and community consequences.
As Finance Minister Clyde Caruana gave his Budget speech in Parliament, protesters outside began their march at the law courts and proceeded towards the Parliament building, opposing the government's proposed planning bills, Bills 143 and 144, which were tabled in Parliament before the summer recess.
Organisers said that the legislation would weaken public oversight and grant the Planning Authority unprecedented powers over citizen appeals, limit courts' ability to revoke planning permits, and undermine local development plans.
Speakers at the protest included representatives from NGOs such as Moviment Graffitti, Din l-Art Ħelwa, BirdLife Malta, and the Ramblers Association.
Moviment Graffitti's Andre Callus described the bills as crafted to favour developers over the public.
He directly challenged government MPs to consider where their loyalty lies.
"Who will you be loyal to?" he asked, calling out Prime Minister Robert Abela. He accused government of prioritising developers' interests above those of citizens.
Josmar Azzopardi, speaking on behalf of Gozitan environmental associations, spoke of the need for forward-thinking development that considers future generations.
"We have to plan and work with generations ahead in mind," he said, warning that government has massacred cultural and heritage sites in Gozo with development projects.
He said that Malta wants leaders with visions who will not only accommodate the needs of the minority, and questioned where the leaders are who are willing to give the country some air to breathe in.
BirdLife Malta CEO Mark Sultana said that the NGO is not against development, but in favour of development that that prioritises Malta's environment and future.
He said that by allowing the approval of these laws, the public will be letting go of their democracy and urged government to listen to the people.
Sultana added that the people refuse to watch Malta be bought bit by bit with every permit granted.
Director of Din l-Art Helwa Patrick Calleja said that protesters showed up because they want justice.
Protestors carried banners and chanted slogans, and many attendees voiced frustration at what they perceive as a lack of accountability and transparency in the government's approach to planning legislation.