Momentum issues proposals to curb prime minister’s powers
The party pitched to put an end to the prime minister's sole power to call a snap election
Centrist party Momentum promised to strip the prime minister of certain powers, including the power to decide the election date alone.
“No single individual should hold this much unchecked authority in a modern democracy,” the party wrote when presenting its latest election proposals on Sunday.
The party also proposed removing the prime minister’s sole authority to decide whether magisterial inquiries are published, as well as curbing his control over high-level appointments.
Instead, Momentum pledges to transfer all these powers to parliament, where they can be properly debated and scrutinised.
The centrist party also promised to introduce a constitutional convention, which would be composed of legal experts, civil society representatives, social partners and political actors appointed through a transparent process.
The draft law will be submitted to structured citizen assemblies for deliberation and refinement, followed by full parliamentary scrutiny and a binding national referendum.
The Constitution belongs to the people, and the people must have a real say in its renewal, the party said.
It further promised to make it easier for people and NGOs to challenge government decisions in court by widening the definition of juridicial interest.
“The legal bar is set so high that most citizens are effectively locked out. Momentum will 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.
“The Labour Party and the Nationalists will never reform a system that serves them both so well,” said Arnold Cassola, who is a candidate in the ninth and tenth districts.
“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 (Real Change) means,” he added.