[WATCH] Political parties 'shouldn't hijack' constitutional reform debate, Muscat says

Committee for the promotion of the Constitution meets Prime Minister Joseph Muscat at Auberge de Castille

The discussion on changes to the Constitution “should not be hijacked by political parties”, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has warned, arguing that this was an opportunity for civil society to discuss important changes and raise questions on controversial matters.

“I don’t think you should hold back from being controversial and raise questions on the relevance of what was written decades ago, in a different time and historical context,” Muscat told the committee for the promotion of the Constitution chaired by Franco Debono.

Muscat said that the committee should be a sounding board for open-minded people to say what they think while politicians shouldn’t draw the line on what should be discussed.

“It is us politicians who should fall into place,” he said, adding that he was eager to see what will be raised on work, right and duties, liberties and foreign affairs.

The committee’s work, who is also serving as a means to promote and educate about Malta’s Constitution, will lead to a constitutional convention - a meeting convened for the purpose of writing a new constitution or revising the existing constitution – and a reform of the constitution.

It was Labour’s electoral pledge to enact a reform intended to give birth to what Muscat described as a "Second Republic".

In his introductory comments, Debono said that the committee’s discussions should include ongoing discussions such as changes to the Maltese language and parliamentary autonomy.