President seeks mediator function in debate on Constitution

President George Abela yesterday drew parallels between the process leading to Malta’s first republican constitution in 1974 and modern-day calls for constitutional reform.

As guardian of the Constitution, the President must facilitate discussion on constitutional and institutional reform

The President suggested that his office could be used to bring political parties together to debate constitutional reform, in much the same way that Sir Anthony Mamo, Malta’s first president, had mediated during the transition to republicanism in the 1970s.

Dr Abela was speaking at the inauguration of a monument of Sir Anthony in Birkirkara yesterday morning.

“Our Constitution needs to be revised to continue reflecting the people’s needs. No constitution is written once and kept that way forever. As guardian of the Constitution, the President must therefore facilitate discussion on constitutional and institutional reform,” Dr Abela told those present.

The President noted how Sir Anthony had not limited his mediating role to hosting political delegations but had taken an active part in discussions, providing advice and dispensing opinions.

Calls for constitutional reform have been gathering steam over the past year, with President Abela having taken a leading role in reform-themed initiatives.

A forum held at the Presidential Palace last week centred on constitutional reform, with calls by a former US Ambassador for a revised Maltese constitution to include a deist reference to a “Creator” having made headlines.