Gonzi suggests parliamentary select committee should pilot constitutional reform

  Opposition leader Lawrence Gonzi said this evening that it should be a parliamentary select committee which should be tasked with discussing a review of the Constitution. Dr Gonzi made his comments in a message to the third edition of The President's Forum, which discussed constitutional reform. Both parties in parliament have long said they wish to bring about Constitutional reform. The government has proposed a Constitutional Convention and appointed Franco Debono to prepare its terms of reference, amid protests from the PN over the appointment. The forum, held at the Tapestry Chamber in the Palace in Valletta, was opened by President George Abela, who welcomed the fact that constitutional reform was now on the agenda. During the three-hour discussion, those present heard various proposals for reform as well as calls for the next text to be subjected to a referendum rather than just approval in Parliament - where the support of a two-thirds majority would be required. Various proposals were made, including an improved electoral system for full proportional representation according to the votes cast, full-time MPs, and a new code of ethics for MPs and senior civil...