Judiciary should elect chief justice from among its members: Momentum
Political party fears government of the day will impose choice
Updated 12.30pm with Aditus, Daphne foundation and Repubblika statement
Momentum suggested on Monday that the judiciary should elect a chief justice from amongst its members.
The party fears that if parliament opts for an anti-deadlock mechanism to resolve the ongoing chief justice impasse, the government of the day would be able to choose whoever it wants for the role.
"This is not a democracy. This is an autocratic imposition," the party said.
The government will on Monday table a bill to launch an anti-deadlock mechanism after PN leader Alex Borg called for such a mechanism in a Facebook video.
A chief justice needs the backing of two-thirds of parliament to be appointed to the post. In practice, that means that the two parliamentary parties- PL and PN need to agree on a single name.
Over the last few weeks, Abela has proposed two names: Judges Consuelo Scerri Herrera and Myriam Hayman.
The PN have shot down both proposals.
Momentum's leader Arnold Cassola fears an anti-deadlock mechanism would allow the government to impose its choice.
"Do we want to go back to the past, when the minister appointed his own brother as a judge in Strasbourg? Malta does not need such autocratic behaviour.
"It is time that judges and magistrates start electing the Chief Judge from amongst themselves."
Seek the Venice Commission's opinion
Meanwhile aditus foundation, the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation and Repubblika called on the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition to engage in a mature discussion and reach consensus on the appointment of the Chief Justice.
"This prolonged stalemate disrupts the smooth working of our already overburdened courts and weakens public trust in the justice system. We also note with concern the statement of the Prime Minister that the government will table a bill today with the aim of ending the deadlock over the appointment of a new chief justice. We strongly caution against any rushed amendments that could weaken the independence of the important role of the Chief Justice and as a result of the working of the courts," they said in a joint statement.
Furthermore, the NGOs urged that the government seek the opinion of the Venice Commission on the text of any proposed bill before it becomes law, in the interests of strengthening the independence ofthis crucial constitutional role.