The recent opening of our new Parliament House presented another instance in which the statesmanship qualities of Lawrence Gonzi have been highly accentuated.

Gently and serenely declining the invitation to deliver a speech and inaugurate the building he wrote: “The inauguration of the new Parliament building is a solemn occasion symbolising Malta’s dignity as a sovereign and mature democracy. We are moving out of the ‘Grandmaster’s Palace’ into an iconic building which was itself conceived as a symbol of a successful, vibrant and ambitious democracy.”

As Speaker Anglu Farrugia correctly saidin his inauguration speech: “Despite all controversies this project was a goodstep forward.”

This is rightly so both in terms of democracy and in terms of the aesthetic value of Malta’s heritage. While democracy has been safeguarded in difficult times by distinguished parliamentarians such as Ugo Mifsud Bonnici and Eddie Fenech Adami, Gonzi is facilitating people’s access to a vibrant, thriving democracy.

This project was entrusted to a leading world-known architect who created among other features poetic stairways, impressive spaces and simple shapes and forms enhancing harmoniously elaborate baroque characteristics.

As Richard England commented in his article ‘Parliamentary encounters’ (February 13 “Only a master architect of the stature of Renzo Piano could have turned Malta stone in Malta lace.”

In the same article England – justifiably proud to be part of the process – added that to leave the ditch as a car park and the bus terminus layout in its present unsightly state would be a calamity that decimates the superb quality of the whole enchanting scheme. Particularly keeping in mind 2018, it is extremely crucial to heed these words.

The vision of Lawrence Gonzi – par excellence – is permanently engraved in this magnificent masterpiece for the people.