Mina Tolu leads an environmental protest in Valletta (Photo: AD)

Green party Alternattiva Demokratika has proposed constitutional updates that would require political parties to present a gender-balanced list of candidates.

“It is not news that AD is insisting on the need for a parliamentary gender balance,” AD MEP candidate Mina Tolu said. “It is important that balance is not only sought between men and women, but also one which is inclusive of people who identify themselves with neither of these genders, should they decide to contest elections.”

Tolu is one of Malta’s most prominent trans activists and had once famously called out Harry Potter actress Emma Watson for referring to them as “she”.

Contacted by Lovin Malta, AD leader Carmel Cacopardo said the party was not advocating parliamentary gender quotas per se but rather gender-balanced party lists.

Alternattiva Demokratika leader Carmel Cacopardo

However, he adopted a coy stance when asked what percentage each gender should satisfy.

“This is just a preliminary discussion, we’re not drafting the law ourselves so don’t expect things to be so precise at this stage,” he said. “God knows how much could change between the original proposal and the final law.”

AD presented this proposal yesterday during a meeting with the constitutional steering committee, which is being chaired by President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca.

Other proposals include the constitutional recognition of Malta as a secular state and changes to the electoral law to ensure proportional representation between political parties who obtain more than 2.5% of the national vote.

What do you make of this proposal?

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Tim Diacono

Tim is interested in the rapid evolution of human society and is passionate about justice, human rights and cutting-edge political debates. You can follow him on Instagram or Twitter/X at @timdiacono or reach out to him at [email protected]