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2 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 14 MAY 2025 2 KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt Abela does not rule out early election if PN leadership change 'destabilises parliament' Prime Minister Robert Abela says Malta getting closer to recognising Palestinian state • Abela announces legal notice will allow greening projects to be fast tracked through planning process IF parliament is "destabilised" by a change in Opposition leadership, Prime Minister Robert Abela said he does not rule out calling an early election. "If parliament is destabilised as it was during the pandemic, I cannot rule out anything," Abela said when questioned on the prospects of an early General Elec- tion. The Prime Minister also said he wanted to see through his and the government's mandate. He was interviewed on TVM's Xtra hosted by Saviour Balzan on Monday evening. Speaking on the ongoing Vitals criminal proceedings, Robert Abela slammed the inquiry, saying reservations he had ex- pressed even before the proces verbal of the magisterial inquiry into the hospitals deal had been published had been proven true. Abela announced Ronald Mizzi has been reinstated as Permanent Secretary, having resigned from the post when he was indicted over his involvement in the hospitals concession. Mizzi, he said, was one of many persons including former deputy prime minister Chris Fearne, former minister Edward Scicluna, and former permanent secre- taries Alfred Camilleri and Joe Rapa who were "let down by the state". "That is how the state paid them back for serving the country. When I say the state, I mean one arm of the state, and not even all of it," he said, referring to Magis- trate Gabriella Vella. On news that court-expert Jeremy Har- binson will be allowed to testify online during Vital criminal case proceedings, Abela criticised his refusal to show up in court. "An expert who was given millions should at the least testify in proceedings," he told Balzan. The PM also called out former Repub- blika President Robert Aquilina over his claims that Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà obstructed criminal investigations into the hospitals deal. He said he would not allow threats to be made against the police corps and would continue to defend them. "To have allegations that the Attorney General and the police did not act as they should have, is not acceptable," he said. Environmental projects to be fast- tracked Speaking on the ongoing debate regard- ing major projects like MIDI's Manoel Island and Anton Camilleri's Villa Rosa, Abela said government's track record on green spaces is there for all to see. He said 19 projects by Project Green are expected to be ready by the end of the year. Abela also announced changes to De- velopment Notification Order (DNO) are now in force, allowing for urban greening projects to be fast tracked. The changes exempt urban greening projects carried out by the public sector from the devel- opment regulatory process, including projects involving structures and built facilities. On calls to take back Manoel Island, Ab- ela reiterated statements made on Sun- day, in which he said government feels it would be a waste of tax-payer funds to retract concession from MIDI. He said open spaces are being planned in the area, with Gżira's Council of Eu- rope Garden set to be finished soon. Abela said government's track record on open spaces is clear to see, inviting peo- ple to look at its decisions on the Ta' Qali National Park and the Marsascala maria among others. On Villa Rosa, he said government will continue to listen to what the public thinks during consultation phase, saying decision should respect planning laws and ulterior hidden interests should be ignored. Malta getting closer to recognising Palestinian state On Palestine, Abela said the criteria needed for Malta to recognise Palestine will soon be met, insisting Malta has al- ways strived to ensure fair treatment of the country. He said there is a wide con- sensus among the Maltese on its recogni- tion. "For example diplomatic missions from Palestine enjoy the same rights and im- munity as those from recognised states," Abela said. On the alleged attack on the Gaza Free- dom Flotilla's Conscience, Abela de- fended government's cautious approach, insisting it was required. The PM said a government surveyor did certify the at- tack came from an projectile from outside the points of impact, but could not certify it was a drone attack as is being alleged. He pointed out discrepancies between what was said by the crew, and what sur- veyors found on board. Abela said if government acceded to their initial requests, it would have found itself in a legal nightmare, as the vessel was stateless, and Malta does not grant its flag to vessels of that kind. On his and the government's criticism on Metsola on the Palestinian situation, he said her visit to Israel after the 7 Octo- ber attacks, led to an imbalanced stance by the European Union. Golden passports to remain Reacting to a European court decision which ruled Malta's golden passports scheme infringes EU law, he slammed Nationalist MEPs for lobbying against it in the halls of Brussels. He hinted Malta will be looking at sim- ilar schemes offered in other European states to amend its own. "In the way our country has been singled out, you would understand that schemes in other countries are in line with what the European Commission deems fit," he said. Prime Minister Robert Abela (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday) "If parliament is destabilised as it was during the pandemic, I cannot rule out anything."