Carnival festivities to force Parliament suspension

Parliament will not convene on Monday, after MPs from both sides of the House agreed that Carnival celebrations will hinder any debate.

Speaker Anglu Farrugia told the House Business Committee that Carnival floats are schedules to turn up outside the Parliament building on 6pm on Monday and hence coincide with the scheduled debate.

He added that Carnival celebrations will also prevent MPs from driving to their reserved parking spaces in the car park outside the Central Bank.

“It is a logistical necessity that Parliament be suspended on that day,” Farrugia said, to which both Labour Whip Godfrey Farrugia and PN deputy leader Mario de Marco agreed.

During the committee meeting, the MPs agreed to hold a debate in the House about the Commonwealth on 14 March, on the occasion of Commonwealth Day. Anglu Farrugia said that youth will be invited to speak at the debate – which will be held before parliament’s normal session convenes.

They unanimously agreed with the Speaker’s request that the Parliament building be lit up in blue on 1 April, on occasion of World Autism Day.

“I am honoured that Malta’s Parliament has been chosen for this event, following in the likes of the Empire State Building, the Egypt pyramids, and Trafalgar Square,” the Speaker said.

Moreover, they agreed that the Chamber host a half-hour long performance by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra on 24 February, so as “to send a message about the power of music”.