'Time to update Constitution' - Muscat - Threats against Anglu Farrugia condemned
Constitutional convention would discuss changes to electoral law, neutrality, broadcasting authority
Time to update Constitution, Muscat says. Video: Mark Zammit Cordina
The time has come to start discussing changes to Maltese electoral law, the neutrality clauses (in the Constitution) and the role of the Broadcasting Authority, PL leader Joseph Muscat said this morning.
He said that the PL remained committed to starting a national Constitutional convention which would lead to second republic. Any eventual changes would be consensual and backed by the public, possibly through a referendum.
Dr Muscat made his comments at Lija - not a coincidental choice given that the foundations of self-government and the first National Assembly were laid in that village in 1921 (at Villa Gourgion).
Dr Muscat said that any such Constitutional convention would encompass citizens from all walks of life.
"The Constitution has always been amended by politicians. We want other ideas to be discussed too," Dr Muscat said.
Discussion on whether or not the Broadcasting Authority board should include politically-nominated members would form part of the debate, but other broadcasting issues were also raised by the PL leader.
"Should the BA regulate public broadcasting? And if so, how will private broadcasters be regulated? Should it stick to just broadcasting, or should it be broadened to other media, such as the press? These are all questions worth asking," he said.
Malta's neutrality clause also needed updating, Dr Muscat said. He envisioned a Malta playing an active role in promoting dialogue among nations, which was also able to play its part in actions sanctioned by the UN Security Council or EU.
He said he had no problem with the way Partnership for Peace had developed, and said that another Libyan crisis would see the PL respond "in exactly the same way as this government did".
"Many things in our Constitution made sense at the time. But now they merit revision, with a European rather a post colonial mindset," Dr Muscat said.
THREATS TO ANGLU FARRUGIA
Dr Muscat said that he unreservedly condemned threats former pl deputy leader Anglu Farrugia reportedly received and reiterated that Dr Farrugia still had a role to play within the PL.
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elvin borg
Feb 6th, 20:22
Ta taht fuq behsibu jghamilna.. nahseb jonqos jghid li ha jibdel l hin issa..possibli mhawn xejn tajjeb go din l gzira? inkredibli laqwa li j wieghed kollox bxejn ghal kulhadd!!
Joe Sammut
Feb 6th, 18:59
Eh bilhaqq, dak il-programm meta se jigi approvat mid-delegati tal-partit?
Fil-Karnival?
Joe Sammut
Feb 6th, 18:57
I listened attentively to josephmuscat.com's interpretation of neutrality, it's none the different from what we’ve been practicing since the cold war was buried and communism died.
Joe Grech
Feb 6th, 18:35
This young PL leader speaks with a straight tongue and astute reasoning. He deserves our backing.
We've had mismanagement, inefficiency and corruption for far too long under the PN.
Lawrence Gonzi put party political interests - and EU impositions - before national needs on too many issues. Time for change...
Oliver Grech
Feb 6th, 16:48
Another copy and paste by JM from the PN's electoral programme proposals 86 and 89. JM continues to copy the PN just because he knows that if he is seen as the PN, he might have the chance to win. So why risk all we have achieved simply to have the fake replacing the original version?
Antoine Vella
Feb 6th, 16:11
Why was Joseph and his podium in the middle of the road? There are perfectly suitable wide pavements in Transfiguration Avenue - aren't they good enough for josephmuscatdotcom? Why must he make a nuisance of himself and stop traffic?
B. Farrugia
Feb 6th, 15:10
Looking forward to a new , cleaner, more reasonable chapter in Maltese history.
Aristide Galea
Feb 6th, 14:04
Knowing to what lengths the PN went in the past , I wouldn't be surprised that this treat came from someone who have a political interest and to create a diversion from the real and serious issues like the oil scandal . The issues of the Whistleblower Act and the Party Financing Law which were supposed to pass in the previous legislature .
Angelo Vassallo
Feb 6th, 14:02
@ marius mifsud
You seem to be more convinced that the threat (not treat) against anglu farrugia was done by a PN supporter, at least your use of CAPITAL LETTERS seem to indicate that.
Are you a LEJBURIST supporter?????
Anthony Scicluna
Feb 6th, 13:53
Malta u-turn party. Why did you kick up a fuss over PfP then and why didnt you stick your neck out like Dr Gonzi with respect to the Libyan crisis? No foreign policy whatsoever. No economic policy whatsoever. Tal habba gozz. No! No Labour
j brincat
Feb 6th, 13:53
I look forward to the second Republic.
EVEN the new President (in a year's time) should be appointed by popular choice.
There are SO many valid persons to chose from out there who contributed validly in their lives and may be waiting to serve the Republic!
Hope I'm not just day dreaming!
The name of the game is empowerment to the people and NOT just the few!
jb
Anthony Pace
Feb 6th, 13:46
About time that the length of the legislature was revised down to four years to get the electoral programme fulfilled in a shorter space of time, bring in postal votes, allow overseas citizens to vote, etc, etc. Basically bring the electoral process in line with the rest of Europe.
twanny borg
Feb 6th, 13:24
Nikkundanna kull theddid li jsir fuq politici u nies ohra huma min huma ghax jesprimu l-opinjoni taghhom. Il-liberta rridu niggieldu ghaliha kulljum.
twanny borg
Feb 6th, 13:22
Kollu paroli fil-vojt meta il-pl ma jridx li maltin jghixu barra ikollhom dritt jivvutaw fl-ambaxxati maltin milli jkollhom jigu malta bilfors bi spejjes kbar.
DR EMMANUEL BEZZINA,MA,MAG.JUR.[EU Law],LL.D.,
Feb 6th, 13:20
The country immediately needs a NEW CONSTITUTION giving birth to THE SECOND REPUBLIC, a liberal & secular Constitution, that will touch on all infrastructural institutions on which THIS SECOND REPUBLIC will be built, political restructuring and the fourth column of DEMOCRACY - THE MEDIA - among them. All who can contribute let them come forward among them YOURS TRULY: Divinity.
Joe Sammut
Feb 6th, 19:27
You’re expecting too much from Muscat ; even if he’s an ex-Super One journalist , he doesn’t respect them . He hardly answers questions clearly or gives the stock answer of “NO COMMENT”.
Dream on Emmy!
Neville Debattista
Feb 6th, 13:14
@Marius Misud. You must have been reading comics Marius.
J Mifsud
Feb 6th, 12:56
Drastic reforms are much needed. Well done. And the petty arguments mentioned by some below that they closed the road for some time, we need to keep in mind that both parties close road during elections for activities. And we should not forget all the streets that get closed for long hours during village feasts. So these are only useless comments.
marius mifsud
Feb 6th, 12:28
as regards the treat against anglu farrugia, please note that it could have been done by a pl supporter due to his frustration of some comment from farrugia. OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE BY A PN SUPPORTER TO INSTIGATE FURTHER TROUBLE. No one know yet! Also please note that franco debono received a life treat during the last seesions of the parliament just before gonzi's government;s fall
twanny borg
Feb 6th, 13:26
Allura bl-istess argument tieghek franco debono ma setax gie mheded minn xi laburist ukoll? Wiegibni please.
VINCENT WILLIAMS
Feb 6th, 13:43
@ Marius Mifsud.
I agree with you 100 per cent. It is really a great pity that such culprits are not brought to courts.
Aristide Galea
Feb 6th, 18:33
Mr Twanny Borg . May I ask you a simple question ? Who Do you think have the interest to use Anġlu Farrugia issue so he could divert from discussing those issues that can create an embarrassment to the PN , such as all those promises that were not delivered by GonziPN during the last legislature ? Not to mention the latest oil procurement scandal .
j brincat
Feb 6th, 12:17
@Jurgen Farrugia
"The PN already proposed the same thing in its electoral programme"
Which one?
That of 2008 when GonziPN promised manna on earth but instead burdened the people with the highest W & E bills ever whilst he secretly started pocketing €500 a WEEK.
So, the chosen few who tasted the heavenly food, after all!
jb
twanny borg
Feb 6th, 13:19
Ma kien hemm xejn sigriet tal-pl kienu jafu. Ieqfu tidhqu bin-nies.
j brincat
Feb 6th, 12:11
@G Caruana
"Jarma fuq ir runway jonqsu"
Are you referring to GonziPN?
jb
Joseph Aquilina
Feb 6th, 12:37
Do you think he was referring to Gonzi? No? Then why the stupid question?
j brincat
Feb 6th, 12:08
"Any eventual changes would be consensual and backed by the public, possibly through a referendum"
Yeah, that's how it should be.
A referendum as the people are sovereign!
Even though last year the PM voted against the expressed wish of the people - divorce!
And the people won't forget the latter!
jb
W Azzopardi
Feb 6th, 12:40
" And the people won't forget the latter" Then why did you forget the position taken by ALfred Sant backed up by Joseph Muscat about the European Union referendum?
James Muscat
Feb 6th, 12:04
Ibqaw sejrin hekk u bezaw bil babaw ha tkomplu tgherrqu !!!!!!!!
Lawrence Attard
Feb 6th, 11:56
2. (1) The religion of Malta is the Roman Catholic Apostolic Religion.
Dan il-privilegg irid jitnehha. Ahna m'ahniex talibani jew xi Sharia.
(3) Religious teaching of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Faith shall be provided in all State schools as part of compulsory education. Kull twemmin ghandu jigi maghllem skond it-twemin ta' l-istudenti.Inkella xejn. Ir religjon hija xi haga personali.
Joseph Aquilina
Feb 6th, 12:36
Joseph Muscat should be very clear on this; is he going to change those points!? Why!?
Joseph Aquilina
Feb 6th, 12:40
Do you even know what is thought as part of the Religion syllabus!?
Lawrence Attard
Feb 6th, 13:23
@J. Aquilina, Jien naf ezatt x'inhu is-sillabu, inti taf? Aparti dan l-ebda religjon ma ghanda jkollha privilegg fuq l-ohra, ghandu jkun hemm separazjoni shiha bejn stat u knisja (TKUN LIEMA TKUN). Intiex wiehed li titkaza meta l-Arab jeghdu li jridu stat Izlamiku bbazat fuq ix-Sharia? Malta fl-istess sitwazzjoni qeghdin. L-kost. taghna ghanda tixbah dik Amerikana fejn jidhlu drittijiet civili.
G Caruana
Feb 6th, 11:46
Jarma fuq ir runway jonqsu.
M Cassar
Feb 6th, 12:27
Aghtih cans fadal erba' gimghat!
J. Camilleri
Feb 6th, 11:40
No second chance for Gonzi.
Let's give Joseph his chance.
G Caruana
Feb 6th, 11:47
He had it & he blew it.
Mr Anthony Briffa
Feb 6th, 12:07
Malta's future should not be decided on chances. JM has proved so far that he is not PM material, even more so that we know from his ex deputy leader that he is in the hands of rich contractors and businessmen who are and will dictate PL policies in return for their financial support during this campaign. The electorate needs to know who these people are so that it can judge even the PN.
Ms Maria Vella
Feb 6th, 12:28
Give chance to someone who was first anti-EU, then benefitted from the EU by working in Brussels, and to someone who has little experience in politics and is promising the world??
Donna Parnis
Feb 6th, 12:59
@Anthony Briffa, how did you get to JM being in the hands of contractors? Angelo only said there had been meetings and you need meetings if you are going to build up the workforce as without businesses there would be no work. You are listening again to PN who have taken this interview out of context and added their own bits on.. Ask PN about their dealings with Vassallo? before you throw mud.
Donna Parnis
Feb 6th, 13:05
@maria Vella, Simon Busittil also has little if any experience in politics yet your party praise him as the second coming? JM was against EU and so were a lot of Maltese people but we accepted it and moved on as that was what the majority wanted, Your party lives in the past and keeps harping on about things that have no relevance now. JM is not promising the world hes promising a better future.
Andre Ellul
Feb 6th, 11:40
No wonder Muscat is afraid to issue his electoral program. The idea that the neutrality clause is blocking Malta's involvement in the sanctions issued by the EU or UN is far from the truth. Just to cite a couple of examples: Legal Notice 15 of 2011 - Enforcement of European Union Sanctions (Iran) Regulations, 2010, L.N 372 of 2010 - United Nations Sanctions (Iran) (Further Sanctions) Regulations
Peter Simpson
Feb 6th, 11:22
I suppose that this evening we will hear Dr Gonzi talk about 'his' constitutional reforms...which he stored up under lock and key for the last 8 years: just like he did with the whistleblowers act ! ...and whilst Dr Muscat speaks about the much needed reforms, in nies tar-rahal, jidduskutu t-triq maghluqa ghal siegha: anqas li kellhom board meeting tat- Trafigura!
Maria Camilleri
Feb 6th, 11:19
If Anglu Farugia has received threaths now, what are we all going to receive if Labour is in power?
t aguis
Feb 6th, 11:58
Franco Debono was recieving threaths for the whole past year, and he also represented a threath letter recieved with an empty shotgun ammo to the speaker in parliment, and what was done ? ................. who knows.
Alexander Genuis
Feb 6th, 12:06
L-ewwel haga trid tkun Taf min ghamel dan it-theddid lill Anglu Farrugia,kif ddeffess lill Labour ma dawn?X'jghamel il Labour,jibghat leaflets lin-Nies u Jichad?Wara siegha Jammetti?Xse tiehu meta l-labour jkun in Power???Korruzzjoni,skandli tal-VAT,Enemalta,xi zewg MIljun commission,xi zieda ta 500 euro,xi power station bil-HFO,kontijiet gholjin,,Kontra d-divorzju,JAQA l-Gvern,xi FB,JPO,JM,JD....
Joe Tanti
Feb 6th, 12:13
I see you're one of does who doesn't have a mind of her own and only knows how to regurgitate what your leader says.
Eve Axiaq
Feb 6th, 12:21
Insejt kemm heddewh lil Franco u anke lil JPO.
Wally Vella-Zarb
Feb 6th, 11:17
Reading some of the comments makes one wonder about the wisdom of automatically giving a vote to everyone who passes a certain age with no proviso for intelligence and logic capabilities.
James Grech
Feb 6th, 11:12
The PL is that party with the most credible proposals, which are being discussed in a holistic manner & within a framework. On the other hand the PN has a nicely compiled booklet with a bunch of ad-hoc statements, made in a vacuum. It's not about the glossiness of the outer cover but the inner content which in the case of the PN has been recycled over and over again from one election to another.
Victor Laiviera
Feb 6th, 11:10
If anyone is copying, it is the PN. Muscat has been calling for a Constitutional Convention to review the Constitution for years. The PN is a copycat party in more ways than one.
S Azzopardi
Feb 6th, 11:01
hahaha hemm bzon fnofs ta triq biex tghid erba proposti ikupjati ?
Alexander Genuis
Feb 6th, 12:08
Darb'ohra Jghamilhom fit-Tijatru bla saqaf,jew fil-lift li ma jahdimx minhabba r-rih,jew inkella go Smart City jew il-White Rocks.........hahahahaha..................x'nidhku..............x'noghxew!!!!
S Azzopardi
Feb 6th, 13:28
il lift ma jahdimx habba rih minhabba safety...smart city inqalaw problemi min naha ta dawk li ed jibnuh u mhux imhabba il gvern, u il white rocks ma kienitx proposta fil programm eletorali li adda :)...u it tijatru bla saqaf japrezawh it turisti jekk ma taprezawx intom ax andu storja marbuta mijaw..
A Spiteri
Feb 6th, 10:57
1...we are being promised a new way of doing politics, no more arrogance we are being told...yet you're closing down roads to give a press conference!
2...a constitutional update is simply not enough...we need radical reforms
3...VOTE JOSEPH...GET GONZI!
Eve Axiaq
Feb 6th, 10:57
Kemm se tgergru ghax it triq inghalqet siegha! Ma kienx Gonzi. Tinsew kemm toroq jinfethu xhur shah tard minhaba mismanagement qawwi tal gvern u TM.
Albert Farrugia
Feb 6th, 10:52
Joseph Muscat has been mentioning constitutional reform since he was elected Leader. The PN had 25 years time to enact reforms in the Constitutions. It even had advice from one commission after another. Yet nothing happened. I do not believe the PN has any political will to make substantial changes in the constitution. The status quo suits it well, why should it change things?.
A Spiteri
Feb 6th, 13:18
same goes for PL...they also part of the staus quo.
no wonder the 'reform' JM is talking about are so superficious!
Matthew Cassar
Feb 6th, 10:50
Hekk sew! Grazzi Sur Muscat talli ghogbok taghlaq it-triq. U ahna is-sewwieqa nibilaw triq zejda biex nohorgu ghal bypass. L-aqwa li l-pulizija iderigini biex nghaddi mit-triq ta l-iskola primarija fejn is-soltu jekk tghaddi dak il-hin taqla citazzjoni! Arragonza kbira!
Tony Bishop
Feb 6th, 11:44
Mr.Cassar. You are complaining because PL closed the road for a few hours.Here in Floriana Sarria Str. is closed for 5days each year so PN can set up a circus to celebrate independence plus other activites that are held on the Fosos non political.
P. Attard
Feb 6th, 12:24
Just last week MLP erected a whole tent, thus closing Barbara Street for three whole days for some activity; was there the need to close almost the same area again a week later? Kemm ikollom xi jghidulna ta' sugu dawn l-imberkin politici???
J Debono
Feb 6th, 10:40
F'Dan il-pajjiz hawn tant fejn taghmel konferenzi tal-ahbarijiet, F'nofs ta triq ghogbu jaghmel konferenza is-Sur Kap Tal-Oppozizjoni. Din jien insejhilha Arroganza u nuqqas ta sensitivita ghall-inkonvenjenzi li holoq ghas-sewwieqa.
Nispera li dan hu kaz uniku u ma jirrepetux atti ta arroganza bhal dawn minn l-ebda naha.
Jurgen Farrugia
Feb 6th, 10:39
The PN already proposed the same thing in its electoral programme - as is shown below.
86. Revision of the Constitution
On the 50th anniversary of independence
which will occur in 2014, we will review
the Maltese Constitution and update it
accordingly. The revision will focus on:
i. The way the structures of the state
function.
ii. The recognition of the role of civil society
organisations
Victor Laiviera
Feb 6th, 11:07
If you want to play the "who was first" game, I have point out that Muscat has been calling for a "Constitutional Convention" to review the Constitution for years.
Kevin Azzopardi
Feb 6th, 10:33
So Muscat closed the road to say something which PN already said?
Antonio Pace
Feb 6th, 10:32
Copy cat. The PN electoral programme speaks about constitutional reform. Come up with something new Muscat please.
Emanuel Curmi
Feb 6th, 11:05
Dear Mr Pace. Reforming our constitution needs the support of both major parties so we should be grateful for little blessings. Mr. Muscat will indeed turn out to be a copycat if he talks about a constitution reform and ends up doing nothing about it. After all the PN had 25 years to act on the matter but they chose to postpone and ignore. Do u recall the words of a certain Franco Debono....
Peter Simpson
Feb 6th, 10:32
Joseph Muscat speaks about unity of all the Maltese. United we move forward: divided we fall. Tribal politics are about the past!
V. Cauchi
Feb 6th, 10:20
1. It looks like the road was closed for this event attended by a dozen newsmen and party men. Is this fair?
2. As reported, JM mentions only a few, minor issues. Does he not view any other more basic incongruities and good examples of reform we can reap from Europe and the US?
3. How does either party intend going about the whole process? How would he counter opposition stumblingblocks, if any?
Joseph Mifsud
Feb 6th, 10:58
Can you mention the major issues please?
Victor Zammit
Feb 6th, 11:22
"good examples of reform we can reap from Europe and the US"
good point sir very much to my liking – the major being separation of the three organs of the state on the USA and now the Brussels model, where parliamentarians are lawmakers, the executive is the cabinet (as is) and the courts weaned off executive appointment, and would-be members screened by parliament.
V. Cauchi
Feb 6th, 11:47
@Joseph Mifsud
Effective administrative regionalization of Malta, regional and party representation in Parliament, full freedom of conscience in parliamentary voting, cross-party non-politicized setup of institutions, more rational definition of human rights, disposal of unreachable majorities for constitutional amendment, non politicization of civil life, transparent political responsibility etc
Henry S Pace
Feb 6th, 10:17
What about the ''GONZI COMMISSION ' at the time he was Speaker of the House?
Duncan Xuereb
Feb 6th, 10:17
So now if JM decides to speak in the middle of the road... we just close the road? ...... If it wasn't for the Lija torri i would have thought he be in USA
Steve Zammit
Feb 6th, 10:14
Simon already said that PN will update the constitution around 2weeks ago on TV
D Mifsud
Feb 6th, 10:30
Yes, now seems the PN wants to do everything that it didnt do in the last 25 yrs.
Matthew Cassar
Feb 6th, 10:52
15 years Mr Mifsud! I don't know why people keep forgetting that MLP was in government from 1996 till 1998!
James Abela
Feb 6th, 11:17
@ Matthew Cassar
They want to forget the 22 months that the MLP spent ruining the country under Alfred Sant.
If Muscat gets elected, in 10 years time they will be saying the 35 years that the PN has been in government because they will not want to remember the year and half he did before having to resign.
D Mifsud
Feb 6th, 12:24
25 yrs or 25 yrs less 18 months......The point here is that the PN had ample time to do these things. But it didn't. And why should I believe that now it will do them? Its a question of credibility which the PN simply lost.
D Borg
Feb 6th, 09:59
Dear Dr. Muscat,
Finally enact the Galdes Commission recommendation to introduce a national quota, so that any party which garners at least 3% votes nationally or 1.5% over half the districts, will be assigned the parliamentary seat the voters for such party are democratically entitled to.
Unfortunately to date - albeit very convenient for both the PN & PL, such overdue change has been sidelined
Francis Deguara
Feb 6th, 09:58
This man knows what he wants and knows what he's doing. He does not bother to call a spade a spade! He deserves the chance to lead this country forward and our country deserves such a leader.
George Cutajar
Feb 6th, 10:14
Are you sure he knows what he is doing? I mean putting up a lectern in the middle of a main road is hardly knowing what one is doing!!!!!!
W. Cassar
Feb 6th, 10:24
Nice one George but there is a police car in the distance for traffic management.
So I guess he does!
Francis Deguara
Feb 6th, 10:42
Dear George,
With due respect I prefer if we discuss proposals. If you well notice even the places where JM is visiting have a significance in connection with the proposals. However, i appreciate your sarcasm :)
G Caruana
Feb 6th, 10:49
"does not bother to call a spade a spade" ...do you know what that means?
Francis Deguara
Feb 6th, 11:03
Hi George,
Thanks for the question. Whatever my answer you will probably try to ridicule. It is more likely that I understand your meaning since I used ot be part of your 'side' up until 2008. Regards and good day.
A Trapani
Feb 6th, 11:30
Our country deserves such a leader ? Are you serious? Our country deserves a much better leader than this one my friend. Our country deserves the best and not someone who thinks he knows it all and is obviously making all the effort to shine and attract votes just for the sake of winning an election.
Please choose the reason of your report below: