Chief Justice appointment is not a political contest, Chamber of Advocates says

The Chamber of Advocates said Wednesday the appointment of a Chief Justice should not be a political contest but an act of national responsibility.It was referring to a letter Judge Lawrence Mintoff sent to the Cabinet Secretary in which he said Prime Minister Robert Abela had told him that he (Mintoff) was not being considered for the post of Chief Justice because he had been nominated by the Opposition and, if appointed, this would irk Labour diehards.In its statement, the Chamber of Advocates said the Constitution provides for a two-thirds majority precisely to ensure that such an appointment is the result of national consensus and not political calculation. The fact that the political parties have failed to reach agreement, and that the process has been forced into the public domain through speculation and the circulation of the names of potential candidates, demonstrates a serious lack of leadership and national responsibility.The Chamber said it believes that the political class has failed the country by allowing such a delicate process to be instrumentalised for political ends. The publication and public discussion of the names of members of the judiciary or prospective candidates is a practice that runs counter to the spirit of this appointment and exposes individuals to unwarranted pressure and unjustified criticism.This process ought to have been confidential, conducted with dignity and with full respect towards the institution of the judiciary. The authority and credibility of the Courts cannot remain subject to political calculations or negotiations carried out on the public stage.The Chamber of Advocates once again called upon political leaders to act with constitutional maturity and to reach agreement without further delay. Each passing day in this situation continues to erode public confidence in the institutions and to cause harm to the justice sector.The appointment of a Chief Justice must not become a political contest, but rather an act of national responsibility, the chamber said.
2026-02-25 07:48:00