Constitutional reform: let us tread actively and carefully

In launching what could be the biggest thing for the country’s democracy since the drafting of the Constitution itself, President George Vella on Friday effectively launched the process of reforming the Constitution for the first time.

And in so doing, he made it clear that this must not be an exercise carried out by politicians, and it must not be an exercise ringfenced by the two main political parties, which have an overbearing vested interest in retaining the status quo in many respects.

This is an exercise for the people, and one that is to be carried out by the people, the President said in not many words. It may have been the launching of a mere website through which citizens will be able to make their constitutional suggestions, in their own name, but the action speaks volumes.

It was about a gesture of putting the power into the hands of the people, which is where it belongs, and not just when it comes to the redrafting of the Constitution, but in all matters. Here, as a people, we must tread actively. Every single citizen that can, needs to give their feedback. That is because not only is the Constitution the highest law of the land and is about to go under the scalpel, but it is also a reflection of who we are as a people, of the values we hold dearest and the scruples needed to safeguard those values.

It must not also be ploughed through by politicians without their constituents’ full understanding and feedback, lest such changes be leveraged for some politicians’ own nefarious ends. You can never be too careful these days after all.

It is up to the people to fully engage in this process to ensure it is not hijacked by the main political parties to simply prolong the duopoly of power that reigns supreme. Nor must it be used by the government to capture this final, and most precious, element of state after practically every other function of state.

And here we must, as a people, tread carefully.

This Constitutional Convention has been promised by the prime minister since at least 2011. At the time Muscat, then Opposition leader, had said in an interview with this newspaper: “One of the basic differences between the parties, as well as being one of our key proposals, is that we want to hold a Constitutional Convention, where we bring together civil society, political parties and all those involved where we can come up with something better.

“We want to give birth to a Second Republic, which is a totally different scenario than hotchpotch amendments – we have to determine what our republic stands for and not just make a couple of piecemeal changes to shut up a backbencher. What we are talking about is a lot more than that.”

That would certainly be a feather in the prime minister’s cap before he supposedly bows out from at least the local political arena, but such notions have not yet been properly and completely crystallised.

We hope some crystallisation will be provided from citizens’ feedback, first and foremost. Although Prime Minister Muscat has been speaking of holding such a Convention since his Opposition days, the baton has now been passed to the President, who appears to be taking the bull by the horns and acting quickly.

With his launching of the public consultation and of the website, he is implementing the long- forgotten Labour Party electoral pledges to create an active citizenship and open governance.

This is the best shot the public has had at either for a long time and we suggest they take it.