Updated | Labour, PN MPs join forces to campaign for Malta-Gozo tunnel

Alternattiva Demokratika hits out at cross-party Gozitan MPs for backing project prior to completion of viability studies

PN MP Chris Said (left) and Labour MP Franco Mercieca (right) will publicly back the Gozo tunnel proposal
PN MP Chris Said (left) and Labour MP Franco Mercieca (right) will publicly back the Gozo tunnel proposal

Labour MP Franco Mercieca and Opposition MP Chris Said will join forces to campaign in favour of a proposed tunnel linking Gozo and Malta.

The two Gozitan MPs will both address the launch on Tuesday of a new movement ‘Front Favur il-Mina’ that has been set up by four Gozitan university students – Jonathan Mintoff, Marija Cachia, Beppe Galea and Carla Galea.

Mintoff has insisted that the campaign will not be a political front but a “citizens’ movement”.

“While this movement has been started by students, it will eventually expand to also include workers and businessmen,” Mintoff – a former president of the Gozitan University Group – said. “The movement will not be exclusive to Gozitans, and will welcome any Maltese citizens who believe that the project is in the national interest.”

Government-commissioned studies proven that a construction of tunnel between the two islands will be more economically feasible than that of a bridge. Geological studies will be now be carried out to determine the technical viability of the project.

Gozo minister Anton Refalo on Saturday called for a national referendum over the proposed tunnel, with Gozitan votes “granted more weight”.  

‘Proof that PL, PN environmental credentials plain hogwash' - AD

In a Facebook post, Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Arnold Cassola criticised Mercieca and Said for publicly backing the tunnel project prior to the completion of viability studies.

“No geological studies, social impact assessment studies, business impact assessments, or environmental impact assessments have been carried out,” Cassola wrote. “Said and Mercieca have irresponsibly said yes to the project without first having the results of all these studies in hand.”

In a later statement, AD deputy chairperson Carmel Cacopardo said that the MPs’ stances prove that the declared environmental commitment on the part of their respective political parties is “plain hogwash”.

“Whilst we can understand the populist sentiments of Mercieca and Said, AD believes that while there are still so many basic studies to be made, it is too early to start campaigning in favour of their beliefs.”