Malta commemorates Sette Giugno riots, poor attendance by MPs

The ceremony, held for the first time in Hastings Gardens, was cordoned off by police to the general public, who for the first time could not attend the laying of the wreaths. However, they still could watch the parade of the Police Band as it marched from St George’s Square to Hastings Gardens.

According to police on site, the ceremony was closed off to the general public for fears of a protest which was to take place near the event. However, the only other event in the area was a press conference organised by Alternattiva Demokratika.

Sette Giugno marks the 1919 riots in Valletta during which four Maltese men, Manwel Attard, Guzè Bajada, Wenzu Dyer and Karmenu Abela, were killed by British troops. The riots were sparked off when the aftermath of the Great War brought with it economic depression.

Following the incident, the National Assembly was founded leading to a formal request for the island’s self-government. In March 1989, Malta declared 7 June as a national holiday.

But the traditional ceremony was poorly attended by both Ministers and Members of Parliament. Those present included Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat, Family Minister Dolores Cristina, Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino and Parliamentary Secretaries Mario de Marco and Jason Azzopardi.

Deputy Speaker Censu Galea was also present, whilst Speaker Michael Frendo – as per tradition – addressed those present.

Whilst recounting the moments in history which marked Parliament’s work, Frendo urged Parliament to “all work together concretely, in order to truly strengthen the profile of the Member of Parliament, the representative of the people.”

Echoing his predecessors, Frendo urged for the Maltese Parliament to gain its autonomy as a Constitutional Institution: “Why should we be in the last rung in the European Union's list concerning the autonomy of national Parliaments?”

Following his speech, Frendo, Gonzi, Muscat and other representatives from unions and organisations placed the wreaths of commemoration on the monument.

The ceremony was then closed off with the National Anthem.