Malta’s outgoing President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca has expressed her desire for her successor to be endowed with more executive powers as part of an ongoing process of constitutional reform.

“As it stands, the presidency has no executive powers at all,” Coleiro Preca said in an interview on ONE Breakfast. “Many people think the President decides whether to grant presidential pardons or not but the reality is that I must get everything approved by the Prime Minister and Cabinet.”

“I hope there will be changes in this regard and that the presidency is granted a much wider function for the sake of separation of powers and the strengthening of our institutions.”

A stronger presidency was one of several recommendations recently made by the Venice Commission for Malta to improve its rule of law.

“From the viewpoint of Constitutional checks and balances, it would be preferable for the President to be more remote from the majority of the day,” the report reads. “The President can be an important check on the wide powers of the executive.”

What do you make of this proposal?

READ NEXT: Malta President Sounds Powerful Fake News And Disruptive Technology Warning In Final Republic Day Speech

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]