President Myriam Spiteri Debono has called on both sides of the House of Representatives to reach consensus on the upcoming appointment of a new Chief Justice and to urgently address a constitutional anomaly relating to the Auditor General, warning that institutional stability depends on political maturity and cooperation.
Speaking on Republic Day, the President stressed that while the Constitution provides fallback mechanisms in the absence of agreement, these should not replace genuine cross-party consensus, particularly in matters concerning the judiciary and national oversight institutions.
The mandate of the Chief Justice, Mark Chetcuti, will expire in the coming months upon reaching statutory retirement age. Under the Constitution, the appointment of a successor requires the approval of at least two-thirds of Members of Parliament. Although the Constitution allows the incumbent to remain in office until such a majority is secured, the President cautioned against reliance on this provision.
"Malta does not lack suitable and capable individuals," she said, appealing for "discerning discussions leading to agreement," which she described as a sign of unity and democratic maturity.
The President also highlighted the impending simultaneous expiry of the mandates of the Auditor General and the Deputy Auditor General, describing the situation as an anomaly explicitly discouraged by the Constitution. She noted that the Constitution envisages the Deputy Auditor General stepping in when the Auditor General is absent, a safeguard rendered ineffective if both mandates terminate at the same time. This, she said, required urgent attention by Parliament.
Marking 51 years since Malta became a Republic, President Spiteri Debono reflected on the country's constitutional development, describing Malta as "still young" in the life of nations but one that has steadily built its democratic institutions on the principles of work, respect for the individual, and the rule of law.
She pointed to Malta's consistent adherence to constitutional neutrality and its active international engagement in promoting peace, security, and social progress, noting that the country's credibility rests on transparency, consistency, and respect for agreements.
Internationally, she recalled Malta's role in advancing the concept of the seas as the Common Heritage of Humankind, its early leadership in placing climate change on the United Nations agenda in 1988, and its insistence on recognising Mediterranean peace as a prerequisite for peace in Europe.
Turning to more recent developments, the President referred to Malta's Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, which concluded in November. The six-month term coincided with what she described as a period of severe international strain, including the continued war in Ukraine, democratic backsliding, rising authoritarianism, and increasing attacks on the post-war international order.
During its Presidency, Malta prioritised support for Ukraine, child protection, equality and human dignity, youth participation, and the safeguarding of democracy and the rule of law. She highlighted the signing of an agreement to establish a special tribunal addressing Russia's aggression against Ukraine as one of the most significant outcomes.
The President also noted Malta's voluntary financial contribution to the Council of Europe to support initiatives combating sexual violence, cybercrime, and child abuse, as well as promoting equality and dignity.
Domestically, the President placed strong emphasis on justice reform, describing access to justice and institutional accountability as essential pillars of democratic trust. She pointed to ongoing court reforms initiated by constitutional amendments in 2020, investments in judicial infrastructure, and increased staffing aimed at improving efficiency.
She welcomed the appointment of a Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary, describing it as a mechanism that enhances public confidence while preserving judicial dignity and independence. Citizens, she noted, now have a formal avenue to raise concerns, bringing the public closer to one of the State's three constitutional organs.
However, she stressed that justice cannot be separated from social realities, placing particular emphasis on housing as one of the most urgent challenges facing the country.
The President acknowledged that Malta had acted responsibly in response to European Court of Human Rights judgments relating to property rights and rent control laws, ensuring compensation for owners while protecting vulnerable tenants from homelessness. She said Malta had gone beyond minimum legal obligations by also drawing on the principles of the European Social Charter to provide social assistance where necessary.
She welcomed initiatives aimed at improving access to affordable housing, including the joint establishment of the Affordable Housing Foundation by the Church and the State. Nevertheless, she warned that market pressures continued to place significant strain on individuals and families, particularly young people, those undergoing changes in family status, and low-income households.
"A lot has been done," she said, "but we must continue," calling for preventive action to address homelessness before it becomes entrenched. She stressed that the causes of housing insecurity are complex and affect diverse age groups, including minors, as well as both Maltese and foreign residents.
Linking housing to broader social stability, the President argued that individuals cannot meaningfully exercise political rights if they are deprived of basic living conditions such as secure housing, physical and mental health, dignified employment, and adequate education for their children.
She also addressed the pressures arising from Malta's growing population, noting that while demographic changes have contributed to economic growth, they have also exposed weaknesses in infrastructure, services, and social cohesion. These challenges, she said, require careful planning, investment, and inclusive policies.
Integration, she stressed, was essential. Those who choose to make Malta their home, and whose children will grow up Maltese, must be included within society in a manner that fosters trust and shared responsibility.
The President warned that failure to address daily insecurities - ranging from housing and transport to healthcare and education - risked eroding trust in democratic institutions and creating fertile ground for extremist rhetoric, as witnessed in other countries.
She welcomed cross-party and social partner cooperation on measures aimed at improving work-life balance and supporting families during times of vulnerability. Initiatives such as carers' leave, urgent family leave, miscarriage leave, and bereavement leave were described as acknowledgements that workers are individuals with social and familial responsibilities beyond the workplace.
Turning to Gozo, the President described the island as one of Malta's most valuable assets but also one that is particularly vulnerable to the pressures of rapid development. Given its size, she said, every decision carried heightened consequences.
With tourism accounting for around 35% of Gozo's economy, she stressed that sustainability depended on preserving the island's identity, environment, and authenticity. A loss of these qualities, she warned, would harm not only Gozo but the Maltese tourism sector as a whole.
She called for a long-term, integrated vision for Gozo, focusing on clean energy, sustainable mobility, balanced development, and quality standards, while ensuring connectivity and economic opportunity for Gozitan families.
Concluding her address, the President returned to the constitutional principle that Malta is a democratic republic founded on work, noting that while employment opportunities have expanded significantly, vigilance is required to prevent the emergence of new social divisions.
She urged continued unity, ethical leadership, and investment in the values of honesty, justice, and mutual respect, both at home and in Malta's international engagements.
The President ended with an appeal for national cohesion and loyalty to the Republic, expressing her hope for a Malta where every citizen and resident feels their identity, culture, and aspirations are protected.