AD welcomes Gonzi’s comments on judiciary reform

Alternattiva Demokratika expressed its satisfaction that the Prime Minister deemed it essential to revise the manner in which members of the judiciary are appointed.

In reaction to the Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi's comments on Tuesday in which he said that the Commission for the Administration of Justice function in appointing members of the judiciary should be reviewed, AD said that it would be announcing its own proposals in its electoral manifesto.

AD deputy chairperson Carmel Cacopardo said that in its electoral programme AD will be proposing how this is to be brought about.

"AD considers that the appointment of judges and magistrates should be carrried out on the President's initiative who should submit his nominations for Parliament's approval," Cacopardo said.

He added that through this method "the influence of political parties in the appointment of the judiciary would be reduced as whilst the appointments would be subject to the approval of Parliament they would originate from the president of the Republic, a person representing the whole nation and above partisan politics. In this manner Parliament will assert its role as the highest authority in the land by having the final say on important appointments."