We reiterate our regret that once again we’re seeing the Constitution of Malta being changed piecemeal without any form of public discussion, without consultation and without any effort to reach an agreement on how to change the fundamental rules of our democracy.
The Constitution is more important than a simple legal text. It is not like other laws. The Constitution is a civic instrument and a democratic pact. It is the cornerstone of the republic where the rules on how democracy works are designed. It represents a mutual commitment between the state and citizens to deliver justice, guarantee freedom and protect the common good.
Nevertheless, yesterday, as has happened several times in recent years, the government tampered with the Constitution without any form of dialogue in Maltese public life.
We agree that the Constitution should be treated as a living thing and that it should change to be always relevant to the times. However, we recall that citizens, civil society, the media, and academic institutions should play a role in thinking about how the shape of our Constitution should change.
The renewal of the Constitution should not be an exercise carried out by the government without anyone’s attention. It should be a democratic exercise so that Malta is truly a democratic republic.