KSU introduced their Constitution Reform Position Paper with the following statement:
“ The need for a proper reform of our nation’s constitution has been the elephant in the room for quite some time, and has been exacerbated over the past few years to a point where it can no longer be ignored.”
KSU- Kunsill Studenti Universitarji published the position paper regarding the constitutional reform yesterday, on the 27th of November 2020. The paper endorsed by 18 student organisations, had its proposals delineated after detailed consultations with the student body.
Defying the Odds
This paper was prepared against all odds, “given the political and constitution crisis which gripped the country in November and December” of the year 2019, followed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Finally, KSU have successfully released it. We should thank the revamped Constitutional Reform Task Force for this. It consisted of several volunteering members, established at the beginning of KSU’s term in July.
In Friday afternoon’s press conference, KSU President Matthew Xuereb stated,
“The prospect of a holistic Constitutional Reform has been raised time and time again over the past two legislatures, yet the promised Constitutional Convention has not materialised. It is long overdue for civil society to be properly consulted and included in the process. For this country to move forward we must have a truly inclusive national debate on what are our identity as expressed in our Constitution should be, including all factions of society; debating our Republic’s institutions and principles is not an academic exercise but rather a duty of citizenry.”
Why do we need the Constitution Convention?
The substantive reforms that were passed over the summer were greatly needed but, ” it is imperative to highlight the stealth with which such reforms were rushed through“. KSU states in the freshly released document. This is due to the heavy-handed approach and lack of dialogue with respect to the proposed reforms.
Another aspect which adds to the urgency of this kind of Convention is accentuated by the ongoing political and constitutional fallout which escalated from the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia. On top of the placement of the institutions’ functioning and the rule of law which was put under both local and international spotlight.
What does the document entail?
The document KSU published aims to represent the students if and when the Convention is convened. This is done through close consultation with its member organisations and the student body at large.
Find the highlighted positions adopted by KSU’s Social Policy Commission below (according to KSU’s official press release):
• Removing the non-alignment clause.
• Substituting the Roman Catholic religion from being that of the state to that of the majority.
• Banning the sale of citizenship.
• Adding EU citizenship.
• Increasing the President’s powers.
• Having fewer MPs, on a full-time basis.
• Appointing the Attorney General and the Police Commissioner through a qualified
majority.
• Providing for the public financing of political parties.
• Creating a Council of State to assist the President in exercising his functions.
Watch yesterday’s press conference here: