The Malta Progressive Party (Partit Malta Progressiva) said it stands firmly in support of the petition launched by Momentum opposing the Prime Minister's proposal to amend the process of magisterial inquiries regarding citizens' right to request an investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour on the part of politicians.

Il-Progressivi believe that, if adopted, the proposed changes would significantly weaken citizens' democratic powers and erode politicians' public accountability further, the party said in a statement. 

This cannot be tolerated. Therefore, il-Progressivi urge all eligible citizens to sign the petition on the Parliament's website and calls on Members of the Petitions Committee to ensure that, once the petition closes, it is given due attention. 

Il-Progressivi also call on Parliament for the petition to be discussed alongside the August petition launched by Cyrus Engerer, Clare Azzopardi Lane and Omar Rabbabah calling for electoral reform. This is because both are critical to strengthening Malta's democratic processes.

Our democracy thrives when citizens have the tools to hold those in power accountable. Partit Malta Progressiva remains committed to standing with the people in safeguarding and enhancing their democratic rights, the party said.

Partit Malta Progressiva said it believes in a multi-party democracy and  advocates for a new style of doing politics-one based on cooperation on shared interests rather than the political tribalism and division. We are committed to supporting all initiatives from other parties and civil society organisations that enhance the democratic process, transparency and anticorruption. 

The proposed amendments to the magisterial inquiry system represent a democratic step backwards, concentrating power in the hands of the government and reducing citizens' ability to demand justice and transparency. Il-Progressivi strongly believes that the Maltese should retain the power in their hands. 

"Is-saħħa lil Maltin" was Partit Laburista's slogan merely 6 months ago. It is now time to prove it by ditching the proposal. The State must get its hand off Maltese citizens' right to call for magisterial inquiries. Legal safeguards against abuse are already in place. At a time when a single party holds a monopoly over government and an absolute majority in Parliament, it is crucial to enhance scrutiny and accountability, not diminish it.