An appeal was made to President Myriam Spiteri Debono not to sign a potential law amendment on magisterial inquiries during a vigil for Daphne Caruana Galizia held on Thursday evening outside of the law courts in Valletta.
Repubblika President Vicki Ann Cremona urged the President not to sign the amendment into law if it passes through parliament.
Prime Minister Robert Abela has spoken in defence of the tabling of an amendment which would change the process of initiating magisterial inquiries by citizens. He remarked that ministers and others were being attacked for carrying out their work lawfully. He commented that the government does not want to remove inquiries, but wants to prevent the abuse of magisterial inquiries.
"They have to pass over my dead body," Abela had remarked, "I will not let them destroy my ministers."
Directly addressing Abela's remark, Cremona replied: "No one wants you dead, but we will step over your institutional body if you touch that law."
The Repubblika President remarked that "democracy in Malta is facing great threat" with Abela declaring that he wants to change the "sacred right that citizens like you and I have to request a magisterial inquiry". She commented that this sacred right is an "element which guarantees the democratic process".
Responding to Abela's statement that the government wants to prevent the abuse of magisterial inquiries, the Repubblika President said that the law already protects against abusive requests for magisterial inquiries, and added that the police are able to investigate improper accusations and false testimonies.
She remarked that if the Prime Minister "touches our rights, he will find us opposing him, even in the streets if necessary".