PN councillors in Valletta distance themselves from a decision taken without their knowledge; reiterate their commitment to finding solutions
Valletta belongs to the shared heritage of all the people of Malta and Gozo. As Valletta residents, we must ensure that we protect this priceless heritage and everything that makes our city what it is. However, this does not mean that, as a council, we have the right to stifle freedom of expression – a sacrosanct right of every citizen.
Everyone’s freedom of expression must be respected, and no one should hide behind excuses to deny any particular group of people the right to express themselves freely
Local Councils in our country constitute Local Government and are there to represent the people and defend their rights, including the right to freedom of expression.
Valletta Local Council should be no exception.
The Partit Nazzjonalista Councillors in Valletta were never consulted about requests by civil society organisations to put up posters marking nine years since the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Still less were they aware that these organisations’ application had been rejected by the council of which they are supposed to be members.
It is concerning that, while discussions are under way in our country about introducing laws to protect journalists and strengthen journalism, someone within Valletta Local Council simply went ahead and rejected these organisations’ request without informing councillors of the decision.
Even more serious and unacceptable is the fact that the Mayor initially said he was unaware of this decision and is now, after it was taken, speaking as though he had taken it himself and defending it.
Valletta belongs to the shared heritage of all the people of Malta and Gozo. As Valletta residents, we must ensure that we protect this priceless heritage and everything that makes our city what it is. However, this does not mean that, as a council, we have the right to stifle freedom of expression – a sacrosanct right of every citizen.
On the contrary, it means that where obstacles to this freedom exist, we should be capable of finding solutions. As councillors, we have a duty to meet and speak with anyone wishing to express themselves in the capital city, and we should not hide behind frivolous excuses to deny any particular group of people their right to freedom of expression.
Therefore, as Partit Nazzjonalista councillors, we dissociate ourselves from this attitude and reaffirm our commitment to finding a solution that works for everyone without damaging our capital city.
Ylenia Montfort
Minority Leader and PN Councillor in Valletta
Roberta Bonello Felice
PN Councillor in Valletta
Vince Fabri
PN Councillor in Valletta
01.10.2026