On White Rocks, minister pledges ‘good deal or no deal at all’

Economy minister Chris Cardona refused to confirm whether a deal for the sale of the White Rocks land would be concluded before the election, insisting that the government would keep holding out for the best deal possible.

MaltaToday reported on Sunday that the government’s negotiations with the consortium selected as the preferred bidder have stalled as the two parties are disagreeing over the price tag of the prime land on which the consortium plans to build 70 high-end villas.

Responding to questions by MaltaToday at a press conference, Cardona – who has tied his political career to the project’s success – said that negotiations with the consortium are progressing and that the two parties will soon sign a memorandum of understanding. 

“We were cautious when negotiating the land value, but negotiations were difficult because the Planning Authority and Environment and Resources Authority havent issued any development permits yet.”

When asked whether a deal would be reached before the upcoming general election, Cardona said that by the end of the legislature the government will either sign “a good deal or no deal at all”.

When asked whether he would resign if the government fails to reach a deal, the PL deputy minister laughed and brushed off the question.  

“Are you interested in seeing White Rocks developed for the common good or in the minister resigning? Tajba din (that’s a good one). Let’s wait for the negotiations to conclude and we’ll take it from there.”

‘PN threatening to reverse Labour's achievements’

Cardona was addressing a press conference at the Labour headquarters held to warn that the Nationalist Party will reverse several of the government’s economic and social achievements if elected to power.

He noted that the government registered a surplus last year, while at the same time increasing expenditure in social benefits (€274 million increase between 2012 and 2016), health (€171 million increase) and education (€240 million increase).

“According to Simon Busuttil, this increased expenditure means that the government is spending more money in an attempt to win votes,” he said. “This means that he will remove the new social benefits and free childcare, reverse recent pension increases and fire workers from the public sector.”