PN will not accept Government’s arrogance in pushing through planning changes – Grech

by Gozo News · July 27, 2025

The Opposition “will not accept the Government’s arrogance in pushing through planning system changes,” stated PN Leader Bernard Grech.

He added that “the country needs a planning system that protects citizens, not one that gives absolute power to government.”

Grech went on to say that The Opposition will not accept the Government’s arrogant and anti-democratic conduct, whereby, sneakily and in the peak of summer and without consulting anyone, it has presented draft planning laws which will remove the remaining legal safeguards protecting citizens. These laws will grant the Planning Authority and the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal absolute powers to override everyone.”

During an interview this morning on NET Television and NET FM, the Leader of the Nationalist Party, Bernard Grech, said that “while the Opposition has no objection to development that is carried out in accordance with the law and with full respect for the environment, in this case, serious questions must be raised about the urgency and who will benefit from these planning laws.”

He insisted that “these underhanded tactics confirm how compromised the Prime Minister is, being caught up in a number of decisions made with those who seek to seize everything in our country.”

Grech stated that “the Opposition will do everything in its power to ensure that the Government changes its stance and instead launch a serious and inclusive consultation process, so that our country can have a fair and robust planning system that gives a voice to citizens, rather than undermining and weakening the protections enshrined in law – including the removal of the courts’ right to revoke permits – while handing absolute powers to the Government.”

He also referred to comments made by the President of Labour Party Alex Sciberras, who is also questioning the reason behind this rush.

As the process leading to the election of a new Leader of the Nationalist Party is currently underway, Bernard Grech stated that “it is the duty of anyone who wishes for a better future for our country to give their full support to the new Leader of the PN, so that the party continues to renew and strengthen itself.”