Editing Politics of Malta

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Infobox political system
| name                          = Politics of Malta
| native_name                   =Politika ta' Malta
| image                         = Coat of arms of Malta.svg
| image_size                    = 100
| caption                       = [[Coat of arms of Malta]]
| type                          = [[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[republic]]
| constitution                  = [[Constitution of Malta]]
| legislature                   = [[Parliament of Malta]]
| legislature_type              = [[Unicameralism|Unicameral]]
| legislature_place             = [[Parliament House (Malta)|Parliament House]]
| legislature_speaker           = 
| legislature_speaker_title     = 
| title_hos                     = [[President of Malta|President ]]
| current_hos                   = [[Myriam Spiteri Debono]]
| appointer_hos                 = 
| title_hog                     = [[Prime Minister of Malta|Prime Minister]]
| current_hog                   = [[Robert Abela]]
| appointer_hog                 = [[President of Malta|President ]]
| title_hosag                   =
| current_hosag                 =
| appointer_hosag               =
| cabinet                       = [[Cabinet of Malta]]
| current_cabinet               = [[Maltese Government 2022–2027]]
| cabinet_leader                = Prime Minister
| cabinet_deputyleader          =
| cabinet_appointer             = 
| cabinet_hq                    = 
| cabinet_ministries            = 
| judiciary                     = [[Judiciary of Malta]]
| judiciary_head                = [[Chief Justice of Malta]]
| courts                        =
| court                         = [[Constitutional Court of Malta|Constitutional Court]]
| chief_judge                   = 
| court_seat                    = 
| court1                        =
| chief_judge1                  =
| court_seat1                   =
}}
{{Politics of Malta}}
The '''politics of Malta''' takes place within a framework of a [[parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[representative democracy|representative democratic]] [[republic]], whereby the [[president of Malta]] is the constitutional head of state. Executive authority is vested in the president of Malta, with the general direction and control of the [[Government of Malta]] remaining with the [[prime minister of Malta]], who is the [[head of government]] and the cabinet. [[Legislative power]] is vested in the [[Parliament of Malta]], which consists of the president of Malta and the unicameral [[House of Representatives of Malta]] with the [[Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta|speaker]] as the presiding officer of the legislative body. [[Judicial power]] remains with the [[Chief Justice of Malta|chief justice]] and the [[judiciary of Malta]]. Since [[Independence Day (Malta)|independence]], the party electoral system has been dominated by the [[Christian democratic]] [[Nationalist Party (Malta)|Nationalist Party]] (''Partit Nazzjonalista'') and the [[social democratic]] [[Labour Party (Malta)|Labour Party]] (''Partit Laburista'').

{{Democracy Index rating|Malta|flawed democracy|2022}}

==Political developments since independence==

Since independence on 1964, two parties have dominated Malta's polarized and evenly divided politics during this period: the centre-right [[Nationalist Party (Malta)|Nationalist Party]] and the centre-left [[Labour Party (Malta)|Labour Party]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Department Of State. The Office of Electronic Information |first=Bureau of Public Affairs |title=Malta (06/08) |url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5382.htm |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=2001-2009.state.gov |language=en}}</ref> From the pre-independence [[1962 Maltese general election|1962 general election]] until 2017, third parties failed to score any electoral success. In the [[2013 Maltese general election|2013 election]], the [[Democratic Alternative (Malta)|Democratic Alternative]] (a [[green politics|green]] party established in 1989) managed to secure only 1.8% of the first preference votes nationwide.

The 1996 elections resulted in the election of the Labour Party, by 8,000 votes, to replace the Nationalists, who had won in 1987 and 1992. Voter turnout was characteristically high at 96%, with the Labour Party receiving 50.72%, the Nationalist Party 47.8%, the [[Democratic Alternative (Malta)|Democratic Alternative]] 1.46%, and independent candidates 0.02%. 

In 1998, the Labour Party's loss in a parliamentary vote led the prime minister to call an early election. The Nationalist Party was returned to office in September 1998 by a majority of 13,000 votes, holding a five-seat majority in Parliament. Voter turnout was 95%, with the Nationalist Party receiving 51.81%, the Labour Party 46.97%, the Democratic Alternative 1.21%, and independent candidates 0.01%.

By the end of 2002 the Nationalist government wrapped up negotiations for [[European Union]] membership. A [[referendum]] on the issue was called in March 2003, for which the Nationalists and the Democratic Alternative campaigned for a "yes" vote while Labour campaigned heavily for "no" vote, invalidate their vote or abstain. Turnout was 91%, with more than 53% voting "yes".<ref>{{cite web |title=The historic moment Malta joined the European Union |url=https://www.mavm.com.mt/video-collections/european-union/ |website=Malta Audio Visual Memories}}</ref>

The Labour Party argued that the "yes" votes amounted to less than 50% of the overall votes, hence, and citing the [[1956 Maltese United Kingdom integration referendum]] as an example, they claimed that the "yes" had not in fact won the referendum. The then MLP Leader [[Alfred Sant]] said that the general election which was to be held within a month would settle the affair. In the general elections the Nationalists were returned to office with 51.79% of the vote to Labour's 47.51%. The Democratic Alternative polled 0.68%. The Nationalists were thus able to form a government and sign and ratify the EU Accession Treaty on 16 April 2003.

On 1 May 2004 Malta joined the EU and on 1 January 2008, the [[Eurozone]] with the [[euro]] as the national currency.<ref>{{cite web |title=Malta |url=https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/country-profiles/malta_en |website=european-union.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref> The first elections after membership were held in March 2008 resulting in a narrow victory for the Nationalist Party with 49.34% of first preference votes. In May 2011, a nationwide [[2011 Maltese divorce referendum|referendum]] was held on the introduction of [[divorce]]. This was the first time in the history of parliament that Parliament approved a motion originating outside from the Cabinet.<ref>{{cite news |title=Malta votes 'Yes' in divorce referendum |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-13588834 |work=BBC News |date=29 May 2011}}</ref>

In March 2013, the Labour Party returned to government after fifteen years in opposition with a record-breaking lead of 36,000 votes leading to the resignation of the Nationalist leader [[Lawrence Gonzi]], and [[Joseph Muscat]] became prime minister.<ref>{{cite news |title=Labour returns to power in Malta after 15 years |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-21734277 |work=BBC News |date=10 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=New PM thanks Lawrence Gonzi - The Malta Independent |url=https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-03-10/news/new-pm-thanks-lawrence-gonzi-1120337920/ |work=www.independent.com.mt}}</ref> In June 2017, the Labour Party called in a snap election on its [[May Day]] celebrations and increased its vote disparity to around 40,000 votes.<ref>{{cite news |title=Malta election: PM Joseph Muscat wins snap poll |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-40150728 |work=BBC News |date=4 June 2017}}</ref> The then leader of the opposition, [[Simon Busuttil]], announced his resignation shortly thereafter. This election saw the first third party elected to Malta's Parliament since independence, with the election of [[Marlene Farrugia]] in the 10th District representing the [[Democratic Party (Malta)|Democratic Party]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/election-2017/77902/race_heats_up_in_the_tenth_as_marlene_farrugia_takes_on_pn_incumbents_|title= Marlene Farrugia elected on 10th district, George Pullicino out of race|website=MaltaToday.com.mt|language=en|access-date=2019-04-26}}</ref> [[Joseph Muscat]] continued to be prime minister<ref name="times">{{Cite news |title=Times of Malta: Muscat sworn in as Prime Minister |language=en-gb |url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/live-blog-muscat-to-be-sworn-in-as-pl-supporters-celebrate-victory.650018 |access-date=2021-02-23}}</ref> In January 2020, he stepped down after the [[2019 Malta political crisis]] surrounding the car bombing of investigative journalist [[Daphne Caruana Galizia]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Malta car bomb kills Panama Papers journalist |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/16/malta-car-bomb-kills-panama-papers-journalist |work=the Guardian |date=16 October 2017 |language=en}}</ref> [[Robert Abela]] - the son of Malta's former president [[George Abela]] - elected a new leader of Labour Party and new prime minister of Malta in January 2020.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51080574| title = Malta: Robert Abela elected new PM after crisis over journalist's murder - BBC News| work = BBC News| date = 12 January 2020}}</ref>

Democratic Alternative and the Democratic Party merged into a new party, [[AD+PD]], on 17 October 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sansone|first=Kurt|date=16 October 2020|title=AD+PD is new name for merger between Alternattiva and Partit Demokratiku|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/105342/adpd_is_new_name_for_merger_between_alternattiva_and_partit_demokratiku|access-date=17 October 2020|website=Malta Today|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=17 October 2020|title=AD+PD formalised as small parties merge|url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/adpd-formalised-as-small-parties-merge.825421|access-date=17 October 2020|website=Times of Malta|language=en-gb}}</ref>

In March 2022, the ruling Labour party, led by Prime Minister Robert Abela, won its third successive [[2022 Maltese general election|election]]. It gained even bigger victory than in 2013 and in 2017.<ref>{{cite news |title=Labour Party claims victory in Malta elections |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/27/malta-elections-ruling-labour-party-claims-victory |work=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Executive branch==
Under its 1964 constitution, Malta became a [[parliamentary democracy]] within the Commonwealth. Queen [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom]] was sovereign of Malta, and a [[governor-general]] exercised executive authority on her behalf, while the actual direction and control of the government and the nation's affairs were in the hands of the cabinet under the leadership of a Maltese prime minister.

On December 13, 1974, the constitution was revised, and Malta became a republic within the Commonwealth, with executive authority vested in the [[president of Malta]], which can be exercised directly or through officers subordinate to him. The president is elected by the House of Representatives for a five-year term. They appoint as prime minister the leader of the party with a majority of seats in the [[unicameral]] House of Representatives, known in Maltese as ''Kamra tar-Rappreżentanti''.
[[File:Malta Attard San Anton Palace BW 2011-10-09 10-06-16.jpg|thumb|[[San Anton Palace]] in [[Attard]] serves as the official residence of the president of Malta]]
The president also nominally appoints, upon recommendation of the prime minister, the individual ministers. Ministers are selected from among the members of the House of Representatives, which usually consists of 65 members unless bonus seats are given to a party which gains an absolute majority of votes but not a parliamentary majority. Elections must be held at least every five years and the electoral system used is [[single transferable vote]].

===Administrative divisions===
Malta is divided into 68 elected [[Local councils of Malta|local councils]], with each council responsible for the administration of cities or regions of varying sizes. Administrative responsibility is distributed between the local councils and the central government in Valletta. The [[Local Councils Act, 1993]] (Act XV of 1993), was published on June 30, 1993, subdividing Malta into 54 local councils in Malta and 14 in [[Gozo]]. The inhabitants who are registered elect the Council every three years, as voters in the [[Local Councils' Electoral Register]]. Elections are held by means of the system of proportional representation using the single transferable vote. The mayor is the head of the Local Council and the representative of the Council for all effects under the Act. The executive secretary, who is appointed by the Council, is the executive, administrative, and financial head of the Council. All decisions are taken collectively with the other members of the Council. Local councils are responsible for the general upkeep and embellishment of the locality, local wardens, and refuse collection, and carry out general administrative duties for the central government such as collection of government rents and funds, and answering government-related public inquiries.

There are also Administrative Committees elected with responsibility for smaller regions.

==Legislative branch==
[[File:Maltese Parliament building.jpg|thumb|The [[Parliament House (Malta)|Parliament House]] in Valletta]]
Elections to the [[House of Representatives of Malta|House of Representatives]] (''Kamra tad-Deputati'') are based on the [[single transferable vote]] system, a variant of the [[proportional representation]] electoral system. First, [[Casual vacancy|vacancies are filled]] through [[casual election]] and subsequent vacancies through co-option, meaning that no [[by-election]]s are held between one general election and the other. The parliamentary term cannot exceed five years.

Ordinarily, 65 members are elected to the House from 13 multi-seat [[constituency|constituencies]] each returning 5 MPs. Additional MPs are elected in two circumstances:

* When a party achieves 50%+1 of first-preference valid votes in the election but does not secure a parliamentary majority it is awarded enough seats (filled by the best runner-up candidates) to make a parliamentary majority
* When in an election contested by more than two parties only two parties are elected to Parliament and the relative parliamentary strength is not proportionate to the first preference votes obtained, additional seats are allocated to establish proportionality

A third electoral amendment has been enacted which guarantees strict-proportionality with respect to votes and seats to parliamentary political groups.

==Political party standings as of the most recent election==
{{elect|List of political parties in Malta|Elections in Malta}}
{{main|2022 Maltese general election}}
{{#section-h:2022 Maltese general election|Results}}

==Judicial branch==
[[Image:Malta Valletta BW 2011-10-07 10-41-05.JPG|thumb|right|The [[Courts of Justice building (Valletta)|Courts of Justice building]] in Valletta]]
The judicial system in Malta comprises inferior courts, civil and criminal courts of appeal, and a Constitutional Court.<ref name=COM2003>[http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/archives/pdf/key_documents/2003/cmr_mt_final_en.pdf European Commission], Malta pre-accession report 2003, p.13</ref> Inferior courts are presided over by magistrates which have original jurisdiction in criminal and civil actions. In the criminal courts, the presiding judge sits with a jury of nine. The Court of Appeal and the Court of Criminal Appeal hear appeals from decisions of the civil and criminal actions respectively.

The highest court, the Constitutional Court, has both original and appellate jurisdiction. In its appellate jurisdiction it adjudicates cases involving violations of human rights and interpretation of the Constitution. It can also perform [[judicial review]]. In its original jurisdiction it has jurisdiction over disputed parliamentary elections and electoral corrupt practices.

There is a legal aid scheme offered to citizens lacking the means to afford legal defence.<ref name=COM2003/>

According to the Constitution, the president appoints the [[chief justice of Malta]] acting in accordance with a resolution of the House supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all the members of the [[House of Representatives of Malta|House of Representatives]]. The judges of the Superior Court and the magistrates of the inferior courts are appointed through the [[Judicial Appointments Committee of Malta]].

Guarantees for the independence of the judiciary include the security of tenure for judges until their retiring age set at 65 (with a choice to extend retirement till 68), or until [[impeachment]]. The impeachment procedure for judges foresees a removal decision of the president upon request by the [[Commission for the Administration for Justice]]. 

The independence of the judiciary is also guaranteed by the constitutional requirement that the judges’ salaries are paid from the Consolidated Fund and thus the government may not diminish or amend them to their prejudice.

The Maltese system is considered in line with the principles of separation of powers and of independence of the judiciary. However, in its pre-accession evaluation reports, the [[European Commission]] has suggested in 2003 the need to reform the procedure for appointment of the members of the judiciary, currently "controlled by political bodies" (i.e. the Parliament and parties therein), in order to improve its objectivity.<ref name=COM2003/> The Commission has also pointed to the need to check the compliance of the procedure for challenging judges and magistrates provided for by Article 738 of the Code of Organisation and Civil Procedure with the principle of an impartial tribunal enshrined in the [[European Convention on Human Rights]].<ref>[http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/archives/pdf/key_documents/2002/ml_en.pdf European Commission], Malta pre-accession report 2002, p.17</ref>

==International organization participation==
Malta is a member of the [[Commonwealth of Nations]], [[Council of Europe|CE]], [[European Bank for Reconstruction and Development|EBRD]], [[United Nations Economic Commission for Europe|ECE]], [[European Union|EU]] (member from 1 May 2004), [[Food and Agriculture Organization|FAO]], [[International Atomic Energy Agency|IAEA]], [[International Bank for Reconstruction and Development|IBRD]], [[International Civil Aviation Organization|ICAO]], [[International Criminal Court|ICCt]], [[International Confederation of Free Trade Unions|ICFTU]], [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|ICRM]], [[International Fund for Agricultural Development|IFAD]], [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|IFRCS]], [[International Labour Organization|ILO]], [[International Monetary Fund|IMF]], [[International Maritime Organization|IMO]], [[International Mobile Satellite Organization|Inmarsat]], [[Intelsat]], [[Interpol (organization)|Interpol]], [[IOC]], [[International Organization for Migration|IOM]], [[International Organization for Standardization|ISO]], [[International Telecommunication Union|ITU]], [[Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons|OPCW]], [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|OSCE]], [[Permanent Court of Arbitration|PCA]], [[United Nations|UN]], [[United Nations Conference on Trade and Development|UNCTAD]], [[UNESCO]], [[United Nations Industrial Development Organization|UNIDO]], [[Universal Postal Union|UPU]], [[World Confederation of Labour|WCL]], [[World Customs Organization|WCO]], [[World Health Organization|WHO]], [[World Intellectual Property Organization|WIPO]], [[World Meteorological Organization|WMO]], [[World Tourism Organization|WToO]], [[World Trade Organization|WTrO]]

Malta was a long-time member of the [[Non-Aligned Movement]]. It ceased to be part of the movement when it joined the European Union.

==See also==
{{Portal|Malta|Politics}}
*[[Nationalist Party (Malta)|Nationalist Party]]
*[[Labour Party (Malta)|Labour Party]]
*[[People's Party (Malta)|People's Party]]
*[[Volt Malta]]
*[[Mass meeting]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20010516224507/http://www.gov.mt/ Central Government of Malta]
*[http://www.parliament.gov.mt House of Representatives]
*[http://www.justice.gov.mt/ Laws of Malta]
*[http://www.localcouncils.gov.mt/ Local Councils of Malta]
*[http://docs.justice.gov.mt/lom/legislation/english/leg/vol_1/chapt0.pdf Constitution of Malta] (pdf file)
*[http://www.partitlaburista.org/ Labour Party]
*[http://www.pn.org.mt/ Nationalist Party]

{{Malta topics}}
{{Politics of Europe}}

[[Category:Politics of Malta| ]]
[[Category:Politics of Europe]]