Partit Demokratiku said today it is all for an all-round commitment to implement the suggestions of the Venice Commission which is the latest in a series of very important work on Malta's constitutional arrangements by the Venice Commission and other ad hoc committees on constitutional reform set up by various administrations. This would be a step in the right direction. “However, we do not just need a step: We need to get over the finishing line. Constitutional reform has been delayed and repeatedly delayed capriciously by both PN and more so by PL,” stated Hon Dr Marlene Farrugia.

Partit Demokratiku said it has already stated that the conclusions of the report should form the blueprint of the upcoming constitutional reform. The recommendations should be taken alongside the recommendations of previous work of the Venice Commission and other work carried out by previous administrations but never implemented.

Partit Demokratiku said it welcomed and supported the conclusions of the Venice Commission report on rule of law, separation of powers and independence of the judiciary in Malta, however, “We do not agree with the decision of the government to ask the Steering Committee – a committee of political representatives with no clear terms of reference and with no basis at law – to debate the report in secret,” stated MEP candidate Dr Anthony Buttigieg.

‘This is not about PD or other political parties being left out, it's about civil society, trade unions, media, judges, lawyers, the chamber of advocates, NGOs, and a number of stakeholders being left out’ states Hon Marlene Farrugia

Below are a number of reasons why Partit Demokratiku disagrees.

First, the so-called steering committee is simply a gathering of representatives of PL and PN. It is not a committee with broad enough representation to ensure comprehensive debate.

Second, the proceedings of the steering committee are secret. The issues raised in the Venice Commission report are too important to discuss in secret. We need to have a national conversation on how to ensure our judiciary is independent, our parliament functions properly, and our government respects the rules.

Third, the steering committee is not bound by any timeline of any sort. This means that the proposals of the Venice Commission may never see the light of day. This already happened in the case of the Bonello Commission.

The place to discuss the recommendations of the Venice Commission, and more, is Parliament followed by the Constitutional Convention.

"We ask the government to present a law in Parliament to properly establish the terms of reference of the Constitutional Convention so that we set the ball rolling with a clear and specific mandate," PD said.

Partit Demokratiku asks for clarity, transparency and real commitment on constitutional reform.