Government proposes constitutional change to ensure continuity if no agreement on nominee

The Government has published a bill to amend the Constitution of Malta, introducing changes to safeguard the office of the Auditor General and ensure the legality of its operations, it said in a statement.

The amendments align the roles of the Auditor General and Deputy Auditor General with other constitutional positions, meaning that if a resolution for their appointment is not tabled or fails to obtain a two thirds majority in Parliament, the officeholders will remain in their posts until the necessary majority is reached, it said.

The amendments aim to ensure that the office of the Auditor General, which plays a central role in scrutinising state operations and public expenditure, continues to function effectively. The Auditor General also participates in key committees, particularly those related to judicial appointments, making continuity in the office essential.

Parliament is scheduled to discuss the bill on Wednesday, in agreement with the Opposition.

The proposed amendments come against the backdrop of a stalled appointment process for Malta’s Chief Justice. The current Chief Justice, Mark Chetcuti, was appointed in April 2020 and leads the judiciary, presiding over the superior courts. The Constitution requires a two thirds parliamentary majority to appoint a Chief Justice, and failure to reach agreement has meant that the incumbent remained in office, highlighting the importance of continuity provisions for constitutional offices like the Auditor General.

RSS Feed Source: Independent Malta Government proposes constitutional change to ensure continuity if no agreement on nominee