1.
Malta
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Malta, officially known as the Republic of Malta, is a Southern European island country consisting of an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. It lies 80 km south of Italy,284 km east of Tunisia, the country covers just over 316 km2, with a population of just under 450,000, making it one of the worlds smallest and most densely populated countries. The capital of Malta is Valletta, which at 0.8 km2, is the smallest national capital in the European Union, Malta has one national language, which is Maltese, and English as an official language. John, French and British, have ruled the islands, King George VI of the United Kingdom awarded the George Cross to Malta in 1942 for the countrys bravery in the Second World War. The George Cross continues to appear on Maltas national flag, the country became a republic in 1974, and although no longer a Commonwealth realm, remains a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations. Malta was admitted to the United Nations in 1964 and to the European Union in 2004, in 2008, Catholicism is the official religion in Malta. The origin of the term Malta is uncertain, and the modern-day variation derives from the Maltese language, the most common etymology is that the word Malta derives from the Greek word μέλι, meli, honey. The ancient Greeks called the island Μελίτη meaning honey-sweet, possibly due to Maltas unique production of honey, an endemic species of bee lives on the island. The Romans went on to call the island Melita, which can be considered either as a latinisation of the Greek Μελίτη or the adaptation of the Doric Greek pronunciation of the same word Μελίτα. Another conjecture suggests that the word Malta comes from the Phoenician word Maleth a haven or port in reference to Maltas many bays, few other etymological mentions appear in classical literature, with the term Malta appearing in its present form in the Antonine Itinerary. The extinction of the hippos and dwarf elephants has been linked to the earliest arrival of humans on Malta. Prehistoric farming settlements dating to the Early Neolithic period were discovered in areas and also in caves. The Sicani were the tribe known to have inhabited the island at this time and are generally regarded as being closely related to the Iberians. Pottery from the Għar Dalam phase is similar to found in Agrigento. A culture of megalithis temple builders then either supplanted or arose from this early period, the temples have distinctive architecture, typically a complex trefoil design, and were used from 4000 to 2500 BCE. Animal bones and a knife found behind an altar stone suggest that temple rituals included animal sacrifice. Tentative information suggests that the sacrifices were made to the goddess of fertility, the culture apparently disappeared from the Maltese Islands around 2500 BC. Archaeologists speculate that the builders fell victim to famine or disease
2.
Constitution of Malta
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The current Constitution of Malta was adopted as a legal order on 21 September 1964, and is the self-declared supreme law of the land. Therefore, any law or action in violation of the Constitution is null, being a rigid constitution, it has a three-tier entrenchment basis in order for any amendments to take place. The Constitution has been amended twenty-four times, most recently in 2007 with the entrenchment of the office of the Ombudsman, the constitution is typically called the Constitution of Malta and replaced the 1961 Constitution, dating from 24 October 1961. George Borg Olivier was its main instigator and negotiator, under its 1964 constitution, Malta became a parliamentary democracy within the British Commonwealth. On 13 December 1974, under Mr. Dom Mintoffs leadership the constitution was revised, the president is appointed by parliament. In turn, the president appoints as prime minister the leader of the party wins a majority of parliamentary seats in a general election for the unicameral House of Representatives. The president also appoints, upon recommendation of the prime minister. The cabinet is selected from among the members of the House of Representatives, the Constitution provides for general elections to be held at least every five years. Candidates are elected by the Single Transferable Vote system, the entire territory is divided into thirteen electoral districts each returning five MPs to a total of 65. To date this mechanism, intended to counteract gerrymandering, came into effect twice, for the Sixth and this mechanism was first applied in the 2008 general election. The Independence Constitution of Malta of 1964 established Malta as a parliamentary democracy. It safeguarded the fundamental rights of citizens, and forced a separation between the executive, judicial and legislative powers, with regular elections based on universal suffrage. This constitution was developed through history and its evolution. The constitutions of Malta fell under three main categories and these were, Those over which the British possessed total power, The intermediate genres of constitutions, where Malta had self government, the Independence Constitution of 1964. The Commissioners presented their report on 5 December 1960, the report was published on 8 March 1961. That same day, the Secretary of State declared to the House of Commons that Her Majesty’s Government had taken a decision, the Commissioner’s constitutional recommendations to be the basis for the subsequent Malta constitution were to be granted. The 1961 Constitution was also known as the Blood Constitution and it was enclosed in the Malta Constitution Order in Council 1961 and it was completed on 24 October of that same year. The statement that the Order makes provision for a new constitution where Malta is given self-government is found on the page of the Order in Council
3.
President of Malta
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The President of Malta is the constitutional head of state of Malta. The President is appointed by a resolution of the House of Representatives of Malta for a term, taking an oath to preserve, protect. The President of Malta also resides directly or indirectly in all three branches of the state and they are part of Parliament and responsible for the appointment of the judiciary. Executive authority is vested in the President, but is in practice exercised by the Prime Minister. The office of the President of Malta, came into being on 13 December 1974, Queen Elizabeth II ceased to be head of state and Queen of Malta, and the last Governor-General, Sir Anthony Mamo, became the first President of Malta. Before assuming office the nominee must take the oath of office before the House of Representatives of Malta. The oath reads, I, solemnly swear/affirm that I will faithfully execute the office of President of Malta, among the powers of the President, The President promulgates laws. The President may dissolve the House of Representatives of Malta acting on the request of the Prime Minister of Malta or following the passage of a no confidence motion in the Government. The President names the Prime Minister with the President making his or her decision based on the situation within the Maltese parliament, the President names most members of constitutional bodies. The President is ex officio Chairman of the Commission for the Administration of Justice of Malta, the President is ex officio Head of the Maltese Honours. The President is ex officio Chairman of the Malta Community Chest Fund, the President’s spouse is the Deputy Chairperson. The President authorises recognition in Malta of honours, awards and decorations, no title of nobility, honour, award, decoration, membership or office may be used in Malta unless it is authorised by the President. The names of persons so authorized are published in the Government Gazette. The role of the President is detailed in a publication called Il-Manwal tal-President tar-Repubblika written by former President Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, the official office of the president is the Grandmasters Palace in Valletta. Other presidential residences include, San Anton Palace at Attard - official residence, verdala Palace at Buskett - summer residence. The President of Malta used the flag as their presidential standard prior to 12 December 1998. The flag is flown on the Presidents official residences and offices, List of Presidents of Malta Prime Minister of Malta List of heads of state of Malta Official Website Maltese Honours System
4.
Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca
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Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, KUOM is a Maltese politician and the 9th President of Malta since her appointment on 4 April 2014. Born in Qormi, Coleiro Preca studied at the University of Malta where she graduated with a BA in Legal and Humanistic Studies, within the Labour Party, Coleiro Preca served as a member of the National Executive, the Assistant General Secretary, and as the General-Secretary. She was the woman to have served in such a senior post of a Maltese political party. She served as MP in the Maltese Parliament from 1998 to 2014, in the 2008 general election she was the first elected MP by the. As an Opposition MP Coleiro Preca served as Shadow Minister for Social Policy, after Alfred Sant resigned as Leader of the Labour Party in 2008, Coleiro Preca unsuccessfully contested the Leadership election. On 1 March 2014, Coleiro Preca accepted the nomination for President, succeeding George Abela, she was sworn in as President on 4 April 2014. Coleiro Preca is the youngest person to assume the office of President, sworn in at the age of 55, UN Women executive director Lakshmi Puri described Coleiro Preca as a true champion for gender equality not just in Malta but in the Commonwealth. Hosted Queen Elizabeth II at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2015
5.
Government of Malta
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The Government of Malta is the executive branch of Malta. It is made up of the Cabinet and the Parliamentary Secretaries, the Prime Minister is appointed by the President of Malta, with the President making his or her decision based on the situation within the Maltese parliament. The Prime Minister is responsible for assigning departments of government to Permanent Secretaries, the President of Malta also appoints the rest of the cabinet with the assent of the Prime Minister of Malta. List of Maltese governments Cabinet of Malta
6.
Prime Minister of Malta
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The Prime Minister of Malta is the Head of Government, which is the highest official of Malta. The office of Head of Ministry was created as soon as Malta was granted autonomous government in 1921, the 1921 constitution was suspended twice before being revoked. On the first occasion the Head of Ministry and his cabinet were retained, following the second suspension in 1934 the cabinet was dismissed. The constitution was revoked in 1936 and the post did not exist for as long as Malta was under colonial administration. The office was re-established with the grant of self-government in 1947 with the post being renamed as Prime Minister of Malta, the Prime Minister advises the President on the appointment of the other Ministers. The Prime Minister is constitutionally obliged to keep the President fully informed on the conduct of the government. Whenever the prime minister is away from Malta, the President may authorise any other member of the Cabinet to perform those functions and it is usually the Deputy Prime Minister who fills in this role as Acting Prime Minister. As minister in his own right the Prime Minister is responsible for a number of departments of government, the OPMs mission is to support the Prime Minister in providing leadership and direction for a stable and effective government. The core departments of OPM include the Cabinet Secretariat, the Management and Personnel Office, villa Francia is the official residence of the Prime Minister, while the Girgenti Palace is the summer residence. However they are not widely used with the exception of public ceremonies, receiving notable people, list of Prime Ministers of Malta President of Malta Government of Malta House of Representatives of Malta
7.
Joseph Muscat
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Joseph Muscat, KUOM is a Maltese politician who has been Prime Minister of Malta since 2013. Muscat has been leader of the Labour Party since 6 June 2008, previously he was a Member of the European Parliament from 2004 to 2008. After the Labour Partys victory in the March 2013 general election, Muscat received his secondary education at St Aloysius College, Malta. He received his education at the University of Malta and the University of Bristol. Muscat worked as a journalist with the radio station, Super One Radio. He later took on a role at Super One Television. He was also editor of the online newspaper, maltastar. com between 2001 and 2004. Muscat was as a member of the section of the Labour Party. He later served as Education Secretary in the Central Administration of the Party, during the Labour government of 1996-98 he was a member of the National Commission for Fiscal Morality. In 2003 he was nominated to a group led by George William Vella. As an MEP he supported a reduction in the tax for satellite television, the right for customers to watch sport events for free, and he formed part of a team responsible for a report on the roaming mobile phone bills and sale of banks. Muscat resigned his seat in the European Parliament in 2008 to take up a seat in the Maltese Parliament, four months previously, he had been elected Leader of the Labour Party. Before his resignation his report proposing new regulations for the EU’s financial services sector was adopted by the European Parliament, although at the time Muscat was not a member of the Maltese House of Representatives, he was elected as the new party leader on 6 June 2008. On taking up the Leadership post Muscat introduced a number of changes to the Party, notably the change of official name, on 11 March 2013 he was sworn in as Prime Minister of Malta. Muscat was elected as Prime Minister in the March 2013 general election, the Labour Party won this election with a margin of about 35,000 votes, with 54. 8% of popular votes. On 10 March 2013, following his victory, Muscat was congratulated in a statement by the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso. On April 7,2014, Muscat suffered from temporary blindness caused by UV radiation probably related to burns to his cornea, like 60 other people with similar symptoms, he had participated at a political rally the day before
8.
Edward Scicluna
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Edward Scicluna is an economist and Finance Minister elected on behalf of the Maltese Labour Party. Scicluna is married to Astrid Bartoli and they have two children Mark and Katya. He holds a Diploma in social studies from the Plater College and degrees in economics from the University of Malta, between 1981 and 1990 he was professor and head of the Department of Economics at the University of Malta where he still holds a lectureship post. He has held a number of posts in the public and private sector and he was often selected by the Malta Broadcasting Authority to chair broadcast political debates. In the private sector he was Chairman of the HSBC Malta Bond Fund and of CWG plc, Prof. Scicluna joined the Labour Party in 2009 and successfully stood on the Party ticket in the European Parliament election held in Malta later that year. On 10 March 2013, Prof. Scicluna successfully contested the elections and was elected in the interests of the Labour Party. On 13 March 2013 he was appointed Finance Minister of Malta by the President on advice of the Prime Minister, official website Personal profile of Edward Scicluna in the European Parliaments database of members
9.
Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Malta)
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The Ministry for Foreign Affairs, formerly called the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is responsible for maintaining Maltas external relations and the management of its international diplomatic missions. The current Minister of foreign affairs is Honourable George William Vella, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is currently housed at Palazzo Parisio, a historic building situated in Merchants Street, Valletta. Malta attained full independence from the United Kingdom in 1964 and has maintained independent, the Palazzo Parisio has housed certain government operations starting in 1886 with Maltas General Post Office and, after World War I, the nations Audit Office. George William Vella has been the minister of foreign affairs since March 2013, Vella was born on 24 April 1942 at Zejtun and graduated in medicine at the University of Malta in 1964. In 1977, he was awarded a Certificate in General Aviation Medicine, Vella started his parliamentary career within the Labour Party in 1978. He was subsequently elected Member of Parliament at the elections held in 1981,1992,1996,1998,2003,2008 and 2013. From 1978 to 1987, Vella served as Leader of the Malta Delegation to the Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, between January and May 1987, he was appointed as Maltas Permanent Representative at the Council of Europe. In 1992, he was elected as the Deputy Leader for Parliamentary Affairs and he also served as Vice Chairman of the Malta/EU Joint Parliamentary Committee. In 1995 and 1996, Vella was a member of the House Business Committee, during his political career, he led many delegations abroad and attended numerous conferences and seminars, delivering speeches, in many European capitals. Vella was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Environment in October 1996, dr Vella is married to Miriam née Grima, the couple has two daughters and a son, as well as seven grandchildren. The ministry also holds responsibility for matters related to trade, expatriates and citizenship. Several of its missions, including those to large nations like Brazil and Japan, are accredited to it through embassies in Rome. There are no Maltese diplomatic missions physically located in South America, refugee camps and the handling of matters of immigration and visitor status are the responsibility of the ministry. Foreign Minister Borg has called for Libyas Transitional National Council to accede to the Geneva Convention, in Maltas Order of Precedence of foreign ambassadors and other heads of mission, the Vaticans Apostolic Nuncio is listed first, regardless of the incumbent Nuncios time in office. The Nuncio is then followed by a traditional precedence based on the foreign representatives length of appointment, Palazzo Parisio List of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Malta Government of Malta House of Representatives of Malta Official Ministry website
10.
Parliament of Malta
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The Parliament of Malta is the constitutional legislative body in Malta, located in Valletta. The parliament is unicameral, with a democratically elected House of Representatives, by Constitutional law, all government ministers, including the Prime Minister, must be members of the House of Representatives. Between 1921 and 1933 the Parliament was bicameral, consisting of a Senate as well as a Legislative Assembly, the House of Representatives is the unicameral legislature of Malta and a component of the Parliament of Malta. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, the President of Malta is appointed for a five-year term by a resolution of the House. The House is composed of an odd number of members elected for one term of five years. Ordinarily, five members are returned from each of thirteen electoral districts using the single transferable vote electoral system, between 1921 and 2015, the House of Representatives was housed in the Grandmasters Palace. The House of Representatives is currently housed in the Parliament House, the present building was inaugurated on 4 May 2015. The Standing Orders of the House provide for the creation of eight Parliamentary Standing Committees to make work more efficient
11.
Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta
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The Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta is the collective representative of the House of Representatives of Malta. The Speaker is responsible for controlling the flow of House business and it is the Speakers duty to ensure that the rules of the House for conducting its business are followed and that all Members of the House have an opportunity to take part in debates. Balancing the right of the majority to conduct business with the right of the minority to be heard is one of the Speakers most difficult tasks. Because it is essential that the Speaker be seen to be above party politics, he/she does not take part in debate or vote, unless there is a tie. When there is a tie, the vote is conventionally used in a way to promote further discussion in the house rather than ending the debate. All remarks made in the House must be addressed to the Speaker, the Speaker can either be appointed from within the House or from outside the House. However on appointment, if the Speaker is appointed one of the members of the House. List of Speakers of the House of Representatives of Malta
12.
Judiciary of Malta
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The judiciary of Malta interprets and applies the laws of Malta, to ensure equal justice under law, and to provide a mechanism for dispute resolution. The legal system of is based partially on English law and partly on Continental law, the judiciary is defined by the Constitution of Malta as a hierarchical system of courts, with a Constitutional Court, separate Civil and Criminal Courts of Appeal and various inferior courts. Inferior courts are presided over by Magistrates with original jurisdiction in criminal, 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, 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 it can also perform judicial review. In its original jurisdiction it has jurisdiction over disputed parliamentary elections, the Chief Justice of Malta and the judges of the superior courts are appointed by the President, on the advice of the Prime Minister of Malta. Guarantees for the independence of the include the security of tenure for judges until the mandatory retiring age of 65. The impeachment procedure for judges foresees a removal decision of the President on the request of two-thirds the House of Representatives, impeachment may be based on the grounds of proved inability to perform judiciary functions in office or proved misbehavior by the Commission for the Administration of Justice. Joanna Drake, P G Xuereb and Eugene Buttigieg
13.
Nationalist Party (Malta)
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The Nationalist Party is a Christian democratic and conservative political party in Malta. It is one of two major political parties in Malta, along with the governing Labour Party. The presence of Italian refugees from the Risorgimento gave the party a liberal constitutionalist character in the Partys early days, the General Council is made up of delegates and representatives from the other Party structure, the largest number being delegates elected by the Sectional Committees. The Executive Council is made up of the Partys highest officials, representatives of the General Council, Parliamentary Groups, Sectional Committees, the Administrative Council is made up of Party officials and deals with Party organisation. The Party is organised geographically in Sectional Committees which are organised in District Fora with special provisions applying for Party organisation in Gozo. The Parliamentary Group and the College of Local Councillors bring together the Partys elected representatives in parliament, the Partys branches include youth, womens, seniors, workers and entrapreneurs sections. link Communications. Fortunato Mizzi, who was a lawyer at the time, strongly opposed these reforms, and in 1880, he set up the Partito Anti-Riformista. He and his followers also wanted a constitution for the island, as the one imposed at the time had been granted by governor Richard Moor OFerrall in 1849. This was because the governor was to appoint more members to the council of government than there were to be elected by the voters, against the Anti-Reform Party stood the Reform Party, founded by Sigismondo Savona in 1879. The Reform Party was in favour of the reforms being imposed. In 1886, Fortunato Mizzi, together with Gerald Strickland, went to London to demand a new constitution for the islands and this constitution was granted in 1887, and added more elected members to the council of government that official members. During the next few years, the party was divided between abstentionists and anti-abstentionists and this practice of abstentionism led to the 1887 constitution being withdrawn, and in 1903, a new one was given instead, similar to that of 1887. The two groups contested the first legislative elections of 1921 but in separate constituencies so as not to each others chances. However, after elections the UPM, which emerged as the largest Party in the Legislative Assembly, the parties again contested the 1924 elections separately although this time they did form a coalition, eventually merging in 1926 under the old name of Nationalist Party. It lost its first elections as a re-unified Party in 1927 to the Compact, a constitutional crisis, resulting from a dispute between the Church and the Constitutional Party, meant that elections were suspended in 1930. They were held again in 1932 when the Nationalists emerged victorious, however, the Nationalists did not last long in government. The Nationalists received what could have been their coup de grâce during the War, in the following 1950 elections, a very damaging split occurred in the ranks of the governing Labour Party resulting in two parties, the Malta Labour Party and the Malta Workers Party. Enrico Mizzi was sworn in as Prime Minister, but died three months in December
14.
Labour Party (Malta)
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The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Malta. Along with the Nationalist Party, the Labour Party is one of two major political parties in Malta. It is the party in the Maltese House of Representatives following its victory over the Nationalist Party in the March 2013 general election. The Labour Party is a member of the Party of European Socialists, the General Conference is largely made up of delegates from the Partys other constituent structures and is the Partys highest organ. The National Executive brings together the Party Administration as well as elected representatives of other constituent structures, the Party Congress is made up of all members of the Party and elects the Leader and the two Deputy Leaders and determines the Partys broad policy outlines. The Party Administration is made of the Party Leader, Deputy Leaders, the Parliamentary Group and the Councillors Section bring together the Partys elected representatives in parliament and local councils. The Party is organised geographically in the committees and district. Finally, the Branches of the Party include the womens, youth, senior, although not formally part of the Partys structures, the PL owns a number of media and communication outlets. The Labour Party was founded as the Chamber of Labour in 1921 by one of the union affiliated with the Imperial Government Workers Union. Band clubs and other organisations were invited to send delegates to the Partys founding meeting on 15 March 1921, significantly, led by Colonel William Savona, the Party contested the general elections held in 1921 and 1924 under the new Constitution that gave the country a measure of self-government. The Labour-Constitutional alliance won the 1927 general elections, but Labour lost ground, gaining 13. 9% of votes, Labour leader Savona was not elected, and the leadership of the Labour parliamentary group was temporarily entrusted to Colonel Michael Dundon. The Presidency of the Party and leadership of the group was taken up by Paul Boffa later that year. Labour gained nine seats out of ten in the elections held during November,1945, in which, contrarily to previous elections, the Partys electoral programme, for the first time in Labours history, did not make any reference to religion. However, Labour deputies resigned from their posts in July 1946 due to mass redundancies at the Dockyards, in the meantime, the MacMichael Constitution had been introduced, granting self-government to the Maltese. Labours participation in the subsequent October,1947 elections was again supported by the General Workers Union. The Party won 59. 9% of the vote and twenty-four seats out of the possible forty within the Legislative Assembly, Paul Boffa became Prime Minister whilst Dom Mintoff became Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Reconstruction. The Labour Government introduced Income Tax and Social Services for the first time in Malta, the Labour Party was re-founded in 1949 as a successor to the Labour Party founded in 1921. Boffa formed the Malta Workers Party while Mintoff re-organized the Labour Party as the Malta Labour Party, the Malta Labour Party contested its first elections for the Malta Legislative Assembly the following year
15.
Democratic Alternative (Malta)
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Democratic Alternative, sometimes referred to as AD – The Green Party, is a green political party in Malta, particularly dedicated to environmentalism. Abela and Mintoff had resigned their posts in protest to the presence of elements in the Labour Party tainted with political violence. For this Abela and Mintoff were expelled from the Labour Party, Mintoff retained his seat in Parliament and, between 1989 and 1992 was effectively an MP for the new party as well as its first Chairperson. Democratic Alternative first stood for the 1992 national elections when it obtained 1. 69% of first preference votes, in the subsequent elections of 1996 and 1998 the Partys share of the vote declined. Following the 1998 result, Abela and Mintoff resigned and returned to the Labour Party, Harry Vassallo replaced Mintoff as Chairperson of the Party in 1998. 7% of first preference votes. In the Maltese general election of 2008, the party increased its share of the vote to 1. 31%, after ten years at the helm, Vassallo resigned as Chairperson and was replaced by Cassola. Barely a year later Cassola handed his resignation following the Partys poor showing at the European Parliament Election in June 2009, Cassola was replaced by Michael Briguglio in October 2009. Democratic Alternative holds a seat in the councils of Attard. In the general election of 2013, Democratic Alternative obtained its best ever result with 5,506 votes in total across all districts where they ran candidates but failed to win a seat in parliament. The partys best result was in District 10 where then party leader Michael Briguglio received 741 first preference votes, the quota for that district was 3,679 votes. After the election some Democratic Alternative supporters claimed this raised a number of issues regarding representation, talks are expected to take place during a constitutional convention with regards to addressing anomalies with the current Maltese electoral system. In the 1990s, Democratic Alternative had its own publication, Alternattiva, whose editor in chief from 1989 until 1991 was Harry Vassallo
16.
Imperium Europa
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Imperium Europa is a far-right Maltese political party, founded in 2000 by Norman Lowell, who is also its leader. Its primary aim is to unite Europe into one political entity, the party advocates a temporary national unity government, a dual system of elitist and democratic elements in order to protect the elite minority whilst simultaneously allowing democratic freedom. Concurrently, there would still be the current Parliament, informing the nation of the cabinet’s policies while simultaneously gathering feedback, after four years, a referendum would be held to determine whether the people want this system or go back to the parliamentary representative democratic system. If the former is chosen, the President and technocrats would carry on for five years. 10% flat rate VAT and abolition of income tax, a more rational, planned approach to building. Building an artificial island which would be used to generate energy, civil liberties, freedom of speech, and freedom of association. Free access to In vitro fertilisation and he obtained 1,603 first-count votes from a total of 250,691 votes cast. In the 2009 European Parliament elections, Lowell obtained 3,359 first-count votes, mr. Lowell ran again in 2014 and got an impressive 7,000 votes, more than double the 2009 MEP result. Campaigning heavily against illegal immigrants, Lowell was the candidate in the 11th and 12th Districts in the March 2008 parliamentary election. He obtained 84 votes on first count from both districts, obtaining 0. 03% of the overall votes
17.
Elections in Malta
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Malta uses single transferable vote to elect its MP/MEP and local councillors. Malta, the smallest EU member state, includes around 0. 01% of the total EU population, Malta is thus the extreme case in the curve of the regressive proportionality function that allocates European Parliament seats to EU Member States constituencies. In the 2015 local elections, 16-year-olds were allowed to vote for the first time, the voting age for parliamentary elections remains at 18. There are three types of referendums in Malta, constitutional, consultative and abrogative referendums, the Constitution of Malta mentions the institute of referendum only in Article 66, sub-articles 3 and 4. This type of referendum has never taken place, the other categories of referendums are regulated by the Referenda Act. There has been six referendums like this on a level, one on a regional level. An abrogative referendum has never held and, if invoked and successful, can abrogate pieces of legislation barring some exceptions. There was a total of 6 national referendums in Malta, of those,3 referendums were held while Malta was a British crown colony. All seven were non-binding on the colonial and independent government, however, all resulted in a vote in favour of the proposal and, with the exception of the 1956 integration referendum, they were all honoured by the responsible government of the day
18.
Maltese general election, 2008
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The Maltese general election for the renewal of the Maltese House of Representatives was held on Saturday,8 March 2008. The governing Nationalist Party won a victory over the Malta Labour Party. The House of Representatives was dissolved on 4 February with elections scheduled for 8 March, initial exit polls and statistics suggested a very close result. Preliminary results had been expected by Sunday noon but these had to be delayed until a full first count was completed, the Nationalist Party won with 49. 33% to Labours 48. 9% a difference of 1,580 votes. Just under 2% of registered voters,5,266 individuals, failed to collect their voting documents, in total, voter turnout was 93%, the lowest in Malta since 1971. As the Nationalist Party won the vote but elected only 31 Members of Parliament to Labours 34. Two other political parties participated in election, Democratic Alternative and National Action. Twelve casual elections were held in April 2008 to fill vacancies arising from candidates elected from two districts declining their second seat, both the Nationalist Party and Labour each elected six members in this way, leaving the overall parliamentary numbers unchanged. List of MPs elected in the Maltese general election,2008 Maltese local council elections,2008 Malta Districts
19.
Maltese general election, 2013
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The Maltese general election took place on Saturday,9 March 2013. The Labour Party won a majority of seats thus defeating the Nationalist Party, faced with loss of supply, Gonzi announced that the House of Representatives would be dissolved on 7 January and a general election called for 9 March. There were also minor changes to the boundaries of electoral districts from the previous general election. The Third party was Democratic Alternative, a Green Party, which was seeking to elect its first MP, a small number of independent candidates also ran for election. National Action, which stood candidates in the 2008 general election and 2009 European Parliamentary election, ceased activities in 2010, ¤ Opinion polls adjusted for the preference of undecided voters. Following the preliminary result, in which Labour won 39 seats to 26 for the Nationalists, Labour party leader Joseph Muscat said from Naxxar and we must all remain calm, tomorrow is another day. Nationalist party leader Lawrence Gonzi conceded the election in saying The Nationalist Party needs to begin a reform process and at the same remain rooted in its values. This was the first time the Labour party won a majority in the government since Malta joined the European Union, as well as being the first Labour government since the new millennium. Furthermore, the Labour party won majority of the votes in 23 of the 35 localities. The Nationalist Party was subsequently awarded four seats, bringing it to 30 in all
20.
European Parliament election, 2014 (Malta)
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The European Parliament election of 2014 in Malta elected Maltas delegation to the European Parliament from 2014 to 2019. This was the third election held in Malta. The elections were held on Saturday,24 May 2014, the parties that contested the election were, Labour Party, Nationalist Party, Democratic Alternative, Imperium Europa, Alleanza Bidla, Alleanza Liberali, Partit tal-Ajkla. The Labour Party won the election with a little over 53% of the votes, the result was announced by the Maltese Prime Minister, Joseph Muscat. The Nationalist Party won 40%, Democratic Alternative 2. 9%, Imperium Europa 2. 8%, despite receiving just 40% of the electors vote, the Nationalist Party managed to win its third seat, previously held by the Labour Party. Therefore, the candidates are,1. European Parliament election,2014 European elections in Malta European Parliament election,2009 European Parliament election,2004
21.
Maltese divorce referendum, 2011
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A referendum on divorce was held in Malta on 28 May 2011. Voters were asked whether they approved of a new law to introduce allowing divorces, as at that time, the proposal was approved by 53% of voters, resulting in a law allowing divorce under certain conditions being enacted later in the year. A private members bill was tabled in the House of Representatives by Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, the text of the bill, which had been changed twice, did not provide for the holding of a referendum. This was eventually provided for through a separate Parliamentary resolution under the Referenda Act authorising a facultative, the Catholic Church in Malta encouraged a no vote through a pastoral letter issued on the Sunday before the referendum day. Complaints were made that religious pressure was being brought to bear upon voters, around 8 per cent of marriages in Malta are already annulled by the Catholic Church. Ballot papers had both English and Maltese questions printed on them, the question, which resembled the proposal approved by Irish voters in the Irish divorce referendum of 1995, was somewhat controversial. It was claimed that it did not reflect the content of the members bill. Although for the referendum the country was considered as a single constituency, taking into account electoral districts. Discussion on the bill started in earnest soon after the result was announced. In the second and third readings a number of MPs still voted against the bill, Parliament approved the law on 25 July. The law came into effect on 1 October
22.
Maltese spring hunting referendum, 2015
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A referendum on spring hunting was held in Malta on 11 April 2015. Voters voted narrowly in favour of retaining the spring hunt, with 50. 4% voting for the law to remain in place. Around 45,000 people signed the petition, triggering a referendum, birdlife Malta said that the number of turtle doves declined by 9% between 1980 and 2015. A2007 study by the European Commission said that hunting was a threat to the turtle dove. The FKNK said the petition had 104,293 signatures, making it the largest in Maltese history, however, the court dismissed their claim on 9 January 2015, and also ordered the FKNK and KSU to pay court costs. In 2009 the European Court of Justice had found that Malta was breaching its EU treaty obligations by allowing the spring hunt, however, successive governments passed legislation allowing it to continue. Malta is the country in the EU to allow spring hunting for recreational purposes. Only two species, turtle doves and quails, are allowed to be shot, with quotas of 11,000 and 5,000 bird respectively and this quota is set annually, based on how many birds were reported killed the previous autumn. Hunters are required to report their kills to the government, according to the Maltese government,805 turtle doves and 151 quail were reported as killed in the 2012 spring hunting season. Do you agree that the provisions of the ‘Framework for Allowing a Derogation Opening a Spring Hunting Season for Turtle Dove, when the results of the referendum were out, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat announced that the spring hunting season would open on 14 April. He warned hunters to be careful, and he said they were being given a final chance, during the season, there were six illegalities, which is much fewer than in previous years. A particular incident involved a Dutch boy being hit by pellets fired by a hunter. On 27 April, a kestrel was illegally shot at, Muscat called this incident inexcusable and closed the season immediately. This decision was welcomed by the Coalition Against Spring Hunting, the Nationalist Party, the pro-hunting lobby, consisting of FKNK and KSU, condemned the incident and called for those responsible to be brought to justice. Birdlife Malta said that it reported 9 incidents and in addition, archived from the original on February 11,2014
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Districts of Malta
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Malta is subdivided in districts of localities in order to administer the country in regions rather than locality. The districts have no significance as the local councils provide the first-tier divisions of the country. There are 6 districts, used for purposes and which are, in turn, grouped into 3 regions, Gozo, Malta Majjistral. Each district consists of a number of localities, the Northern Harbour District, Western District and Northern District together form the North Western Region. The South Eastern District and Southern Harbour District together form the South Eastern Region, the Gozo and Comino District is a Region in its own right. The Southern Harbour District forms part of Malta Xlokk and it contains 14 local councils including the capital Valletta and the cities of Birgu, Cospicua, Senglea and Żabbar, with the largest locality being Żabbar while the smallest one is Xgħajra. The total population of the District is 81,834, while total area is 26.1 km2 and it is the second largest district by population and the fifth largest by area. It contains 13 local councils including the city of Qormi, with the largest locality being Birkirkara while the smallest one is Ta Xbiex, the total population of the District is 131,938, while total area is 24.1 km2. It is the largest district by population and the smallest by area, Birkirkara Il-Gżira Il-Ħamrun L-Imsida Pembroke Tal-Pietà Ħal Qormi San Ġiljan San Ġwann Santa Venera Tas-Sliema Is-Swieqi Ta Xbiex The South Eastern District forms part of Malta Xlokk. It contains 11 local councils including the city of Żejtun, with the largest locality being Marsaskala while the smallest one is Ħal Safi, the total population of the District is 66,060, while total area is 54.3 km2. It is the fourth largest district by population and area. Birżebbuġa Ħal Għaxaq Il-Gudja Ħal Kirkop Marsaskala Marsaxlokk L-Imqabba Il-Qrendi Ħal Safi Iż-Żejtun Iż-Żurrieq The Western District forms part of Malta Majjistral and it contains 10 local councils including the cities of Mdina, Siġġiewi and Żebbuġ, with the largest locality being Żebbuġ while the smallest one is Mdina. The total population of the District is 54,315, while total area is 72.5 km2 and it is the fifth largest district by population and the second largest by area. ĦAttard Ħal Balzan Ħad-Dingli L-Iklin Ħal Lija L-Imdina L-Imtarfa Ir-Rabat Is-Siġġiewi Ħaż-Żebbuġ The Northern District forms part of Malta Majjistral and it contains 6 local councils but no cities, with the largest locality being St. Pauls Bay while the smallest one is Għargħur. The total population of the District is 70,580, while total area is 73.6 km2 and it is the third largest district by population and the largest by area. Ħal Għargħur Il-Mellieħa L-Imġarr Il-Mosta In-Naxxar San Pawl il-Baħar The Gozo and it contains 14 local councils including the city of Victoria. This is also the largest locality while the smallest one is Għasri, the total population of the District is 37,288, while total area is 68.7 km2. It is the smallest district by population and the third largest by area, il-Belt Valletta, Archbishop Street Tel,22943101 Il-Furjana, St. Anne Str Tel,21236719 Pinto Police, Valletta Waterfront Tel,21226828 Headquarters in Valletta, the capital city of Malta
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Regions of Malta
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Malta is subdivided into 5 regions. Three regions were created by the Local Councils Act of 1993. Two of the regions were split into smaller ones by Act No, XVI of 2009, and now there are five regions. Each region has a Regional Committee, which consists of a Regional President, a Vice President, Local councils of Malta Districts of Malta NUTS of Malta ISO 3166-2, MT
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Foreign relations of Malta
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For several years after independence in 1964, under the Nationalist Party government, Malta followed a policy of close co-operation with the United Kingdom and other NATO countries. This relationship changed with the election of the Labour Party government in June 1971, the NATO subheadquarters in Malta was closed at the request of the government, and the United States Sixth Fleet discontinued recreational visits to the country. After substantially increased financial contributions from several NATO countries, the Royal Navy remained in the Malta Dockyard until 1979, following their departure, the Labour government charted a new course of neutrality and became an active member of the Non-Aligned Movement. Malta is a participant in the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the Council of Europe, OSCE. In these forums, Malta has frequently expressed its concern for the peace, the Nationalist government elected in May 1987 continued a policy of neutrality and non-alignment, but in a Western context. The government desires close relations with the United States and Europe, with an emphasis on increased trade, in 1992, United States Navy ships started paying liberty calls again and currently do so on a regular basis. On May 1,2004, Malta withdrew from the Non-Aligned Movement and became a member of the European Union. It was one of ten new members joined on that date. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs, at Palazzo Parisio, oversees the direction of Maltese foreign policy, Malta has been a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations since 1964, when it became an independent Dominion under the name State of Malta. Malta became a Commonwealth republic on 13 December 1974, when the last Governor-General of Malta, List of diplomatic missions in Malta List of diplomatic missions of Malta Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malta Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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Parliamentary system
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In a parliamentary system, the head of state is usually a different person from the head of government. Since ancient times, when societies were tribal, there were councils or a headman whose decisions were assessed by village elders, eventually these councils have slowly evolved into the modern Parliamentary system. The first parliaments date back to Europe in the Middle Ages, for example in 1188 Alfonso IX, the modern concept of parliamentary government emerged in the Kingdom of Great Britain and its contemporary, the Parliamentary System in Sweden. In England, Simon de Montfort is remembered as one of the fathers of representative government for holding two famous parliaments, the first, in 1258, stripped the King of unlimited authority and the second, in 1265, included ordinary citizens from the towns. Later, in the 17th century, the Parliament of England pioneered some of the ideas and systems of liberal democracy culminating in the Glorious Revolution, in the Kingdom of Great Britain, the monarch, in theory, chaired cabinet and chose ministers. In practice, King George Is inability to speak English led the responsibility for chairing cabinet to go to the minister, literally the prime or first minister. By the nineteenth century, the Great Reform Act of 1832 led to parliamentary dominance, with its choice invariably deciding who was prime minister, hence the use of phrases like Her Majestys government or His Excellencys government. Nineteenth century urbanisation, industrial revolution and, modernism had already fueled the political struggle for democracy. In the radicalised times at the end of World War I, a parliamentary system may be either bicameral, with two chambers of parliament or unicameral, with just one parliamentary chamber. Scholars of democracy such as Arend Lijphart distinguish two types of parliamentary democracies, the Westminster and Consensus systems, the Westminster system is usually found in the Commonwealth of Nations and countries which were influenced by the British political tradition. These parliaments tend to have a more style of debate. The Australian House of Representatives is elected using instant-runoff voting, while the Senate is elected using proportional representation through single transferable vote, regardless of which system is used, the voting systems tend to allow the voter to vote for a named candidate rather than a closed list. The Western European parliamentary model tends to have a more consensual debating system, Consensus systems have more of a tendency to use proportional representation with open party lists than the Westminster Model legislatures. The committees of these Parliaments tend to be more important than the plenary chamber, some West European countries parliaments implement the principle of dualism as a form of separation of powers. In countries using this system, Members of Parliament have to resign their place in Parliament upon being appointed minister, ministers in those countries usually actively participate in parliamentary debates, but are not entitled to vote. Some countries such as India also require the prime minister to be a member of the legislature, the head of state appoints a prime minister who will likely have majority support in parliament. The head of state appoints a minister who must gain a vote of confidence within a set time. The head of state appoints the leader of the party holding a plurality of seats in parliament as prime minister
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Representative democracy
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Representative democracy is a type of democracy founded on the principle of elected officials representing a group of people, as opposed to direct democracy. Representative democracy is often presented as the most efficient form of democracy possible in mass societies and it arguably allows for efficient ruling by a sufficiently small number of people on behalf of the larger number. Government efficiency can be judged based on metric of cost effectiveness, representatives voting on behalf of the people allows for a monetary benefit as there is lessened use of polling stations, vote counters, etc. The government is responsible for paying for the wages of the representatives. This system of governance is also time efficient as decisions can be made by a select few and it is a system in which people elect their lawmakers, who are then held accountable to them for their activity within government. It has been described by political theorists including Robert A Dahl, Gregory Houston. In it the power is in the hands of the representatives who are elected by the people in elections. Representatives are elected by the public, as in elections for the national legislature. Elected representatives may hold the power to other representatives, presidents, or other officers of the government or of the legislature. The constitution may also provide for some deliberative democracy or direct popular measures, however, these are not always binding and usually require some legislative action—legal power usually remains firmly with representatives. Their wishes ought to have great weight with him, their opinion, high respect, their business, unremitted attention. It is his duty to sacrifice his repose, his pleasures, his satisfactions, to theirs, and above all, ever, and in all cases, to prefer their interest to his own. But his unbiassed opinion, his judgment, his enlightened conscience, he ought not to sacrifice to you, to any man. These he does not derive from your pleasure, no, nor from the law and they are a trust from Providence, for the abuse of which he is deeply answerable. Your representative owes you, not his only, but his judgment. The Roman Republic was the first government in the world to have a representative government. In Britain, Simon de Montfort is remembered as one of the fathers of representative government for holding two famous parliaments, the first, in 1258, stripped the King of unlimited authority and the second, in 1265, included ordinary citizens from the towns. Later, in the 17th century, the Parliament of England pioneered some of the ideas and systems of liberal democracy culminating in the Glorious Revolution, the American Revolution led to the creation of a new Constitution of the United States in 1787
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Republic
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It is a government where the head of state is not a monarch. Both modern and ancient republics vary widely in their ideology, composition, in the classical and medieval period of Europe, many states were fashioned on the Roman Republic, which referred to the governance of the city of Rome, between it having kings and emperors. The Italian medieval and Renaissance political tradition, today referred to as humanism, is sometimes considered to derive directly from Roman republicans such as Sallust. Republics were not equated with classical democracies such as Athens, but had a democratic aspect, Republics became more common in the Western world starting in the late 18th century, eventually displacing absolute monarchy as the most common form of government in Europe. In modern republics, the executive is legitimized both by a constitution and by popular suffrage, for instance, Article IV of the United States Constitution guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican form of Government. The term originates as the Latin translation of Greek word politeia, cicero, among other Latin writers, translated politeia as res publica and it was in turn translated by Renaissance scholars as republic. The term politeia can be translated as form of government, polity, or regime, and is therefore not always a word for a specific type of regime as the modern word republic is. And also amongst classical Latin, the term republic can be used in a way to refer to any regime. In medieval Northern Italy, a number of city states had commune or signoria based governments, in the late Middle Ages, writers, such as Giovanni Villani, began writing about the nature of these states and the differences from other types of regime. They used terms such as libertas populi, a free people, the terminology changed in the 15th century as the renewed interest in the writings of Ancient Rome caused writers to prefer using classical terminology. To describe non-monarchical states writers, most importantly Leonardo Bruni, adopted the Latin phrase res publica. While Bruni and Machiavelli used the term to describe the states of Northern Italy, which were not monarchies, the term can quite literally be translated as public matter. It was most often used by Roman writers to refer to the state and government, in subsequent centuries, the English word commonwealth came to be used as a translation of res publica, and its use in English was comparable to how the Romans used the term res publica. Notably, during The Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell the word commonwealth was the most common term to call the new monarchless state, likewise, in Polish, the term was translated as rzeczpospolita, although the translation is now only used with respect to Poland. Presently, the term republic commonly means a system of government which derives its power from the rather than from another basis. After the classical period, during the Middle Ages, many cities developed again. The modern type of itself is different from any type of state found in the classical world. Nevertheless, there are a number of states of the era that are today still called republics
