Momentum proposes transferring certain exclusive powers away from PM

The party Momentum has proposed removing several exclusive powers from the Prime Minister and transferring them to Parliament, including the power to decide election dates, control certain high-level appointments and determine whether magisterial inquiries are published.

The party announced three proposals on Sunday to shape a renewed Republic of Malta.

Through these structural changes to build “the Second Republic,” the third party is seeking a Constitutional Convention via citizen assemblies, parliamentary scrutiny and a “binding national referendum.”

In a statement, the party also proposed transferring some of the Prime Minister’s exclusive powers to Parliament and making it easier for citizens to challenge government in court.

Momentum said that in Malta, “executive power is excessively concentrated, and Malta’s parliamentary oversight is weak, while citizens have never been meaningfully invited to shape the Constitution.”

The party said it has committed itself to work to establish a Constitutional Convention by law.

It mentioned that this would be composed of legal experts, civil society representatives, social partners and political actors, all appointed through a transparent process.

Outlining this proposal, it continued that its draft would be submitted to “structured citizen assemblies for deliberation and refinement,” before being discussed and scrutinised in Parliament, followed by a binding national referendum.

“The Constitution belongs to the people, and the people must have a real say in its renewal,” Momentum said.

Momentum said that with Malta’s Constitution last being revised in 1974, 52 years ago, “it concentrates too much power in the hands of one person, offers weak parliamentary oversight, and gives citizens almost no meaningful way to shape the document that governs their lives.”

It noted that while the two major political parties benefit from this status quo, most people do not.

Momentum added that the Labour Party and the Nationalist Party have no interest in changing this either.

Its second proposal is to transfer some of the Prime Minister’s exclusive powers to Parliament; namely, to select the date of a general election, whether a magisterial inquiry is published or not, and controlling high-ranking appointments.

On this, Momentum said that “no single individual should hold this much unchecked authority in a modern democracy,” and, through this transfer of powers, these issues can be properly debated and scrutinised by elected representatives from all parties.

Its third and final proposal is to widen the definition of “juridical interest” to make it easier for individuals and NGOs to challenge the government in court.

Momentum pledged that it would expand the definition of legal standing “so that citizens and civil society groups can take action against government wrongdoing without needing to prove a narrow personal interest.”

“If the government acts against the public good, the public should be able to hold it to account,” the party said.

Momentum said that currently, it is extremely difficult for ordinary people and NGOs to challenge government decisions in court, and that the legal bar is set so high that most citizens are effectively locked out.

Momentum leader Arnold Cassola, who is contesting this general election on the ninth and tenth electoral districts, said that the Labour Party and the Nationalist Party will never reform a system that serves them both so well.

“They have had sixty years to give citizens a real say in their own Constitution. They chose not to. Only Momentum in Parliament would give them a voice. This is what ‘Bidla ta’ Vera’ means,” Cassola said.

The party said that the choice on 30 May is not between red or blue, it is between a system built for those in power, and one built for those who live under it.

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