Moviment Graffitti has welcomed the government’s shift on Manoel Island, following new agreement being pursued with developers MIDI to return the site to public use, calling it a major win for public interest and the result of sustained civic pressure.
The turnaround comes after the government this week launched legal proceedings to challenge the original 2000 concession, and then held talks with MIDI to explore an out-of-court settlement. Prime Minister Robert Abela said that the meeting with MIDI was cordial and that the consortium presented a proposal which could serve as the basis for an agreement outside the courts.
Graffitti’s “Post Għalina” campaign, which gathered over 29,000 signatures and called for the island to be returned to the public as a national park. Graffitti said the campaign sparked national debate and highlighted legal clauses that empower the government to renegotiate in favour of the public.
While celebrating progress, the group insists that the park must be managed by environmental and cultural organizations, including NGOs. They also stressed the importance of protecting the island’s biodiversity and heritage, proposing restored community spaces and cultural venues within historic buildings like the Lazzaretto.
“This is what collective action can achieve,” Graffitti said, vowing to remain vigilant throughout the process and urging the public to stay engaged.
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