A Labour government would consider holding a referendum on constitutional changes which would be the basis of the second republic.

Opposition leader Joseph Muscat said any changes would take a bottom-up approach, through a constitution convention with the involvement of civil society.

Dr Muscat made this announcement in a news conference next to the Belvedere in Transfiguration Avenue in Lija, which he described as a very appropriate setting due to its role in the drafting of the 1921 constitution. This constitution had led to the creation of the parliamentary system as we know it today. In those days the Lija Belvedere was the setting of three meetings  of National Assembly which drafted this constitution.

In his speech the Labour leader said that the concept of neutrality needs to be rephrased to reflect current geopolitical circumstances. Other amendments on the agenda would be the electoral law.

Asked about the introduction of a national threshold which may pave the way for the third party in parliament, he said that the PL would participate in the convention with an open mind. However he said that at this stage the party would not make its ideas public so as not to influence the debate.

Dr Muscat said that this constitutional convention would also consider changes in constitutionally appointed bodies such as the Broadcasting Authority.

On issues regarding the judiciary including impeachment procedures which need a two thirds parliamentary majority, he said that these will be dealt with in the judicial review which the PL promised to implement by the end of the year.