PN Adviser’s Ġgantija Heights Link Raises Eyebrows
PN’s Irony: Ġgantija Heights Adviser
Imagine this: a political party slams a project as ‘scandalous’, yet one of its top advisers is quietly involved behind the scenes. This is the peculiar tale of Ġgantija Heights and the Nationalist Party’s (PN) recent revelation.
Unravelling the Web
Ġgantija Heights, a contentious development in Xagħra, Gozo, has been a political hot potato. The PN, in opposition, lambasted the Labour government’s handling of the project, with party leader Bernard Grech calling it ‘scandalous’ and ‘a betrayal of trust’. Yet, a recent Times of Malta report unearthed an unexpected connection: PN’s international affairs adviser, Dr. Alex Perici Calascione, is listed as a director of one of the companies involved, Għorġ Għawdex Developments Ltd.
Dr. Calascione, a respected academic and lawyer, has been a key figure in PN’s foreign policy thinking. His involvement in Ġgantija Heights, however, has raised eyebrows, especially given the party’s vocal opposition to the project. When contacted, Dr. Calascione confirmed his role but declined to comment further, referring queries to the PN’s media team.
PN’s Response: A Dance Around the Issue
The PN’s response has been, at best, evasive. Initially, the party denied any knowledge of Dr. Calascione’s involvement. However, when pressed, they admitted they were aware but insisted it didn’t conflict with their opposition to the project. Bernard Grech, in a statement, said, “Our position on Ġgantija Heights remains unchanged. We oppose this project, and our opposition is not influenced by the personal interests of any party member.”
Yet, the irony is hard to miss. The PN has been critical of Labour’s perceived conflicts of interest in the project. Now, they find themselves in a similar situation. Opposition MP Jason Azzopardi summed it up, “PN is in no position to criticise Labour on conflicts of interest when one of their top advisers is involved in a project they claim is scandalous.”
Ġgantija Heights, a proposed 18-story complex, has divided Gozo. Supporters argue it will boost the island’s economy, while opponents fear it will spoil the rural scene. The project, originally approved under the previous Labour administration, has been a thorny issue for both parties. With Dr. Calascione’s involvement coming to light, it’s set to become even more contentious.
