Malta is a small archipelago located in the central Mediterranean Sea. The country’s political structure is a parliamentary representative democratic system. This means that the Maltese people elect members of parliament who represent them and make decisions on their behalf.
In this article, we will dive into the various aspects of Malta’s political structure, including its executive, legislative, and judicial branches, the role of its president, prime minister, and parliamentary system.
Executive Branch
The executive branch of Malta’s government is responsible for enforcing the laws and making day-to-day decisions. At the top of the executive branch is the president, who is the head of the state. The president has limited powers, and their role is mainly ceremonial.
The prime minister, on the other hand, is the head of government and the leader of the ruling political party. The prime minister is responsible for appointing other ministers to head different departments and ministries. Together, they form the cabinet, which is responsible for the country’s major policies and decisions.
Legislative Branch
The legislative branch of the Maltese government consists of a unicameral parliament, which is called the House of Representatives or Kamra tad-Deputati. The parliament is composed of 67 members who are elected for a term of five years.
The main duties of the parliament are to pass laws, scrutinize and debate government policies, approve the national budget, and hold the government accountable. The parliament is also responsible for electing the president and approving the appointment of the prime minister.
Judicial Branch
The judicial branch of the Maltese government is independent of the executive and legislative branches. It consists of the courts of law, which are responsible for interpreting and applying the laws. The Maltese judiciary is divided into three tiers: the first-tier, which includes the Courts of Magistrates and the Small Claims Tribunal; the second-tier, which includes the Civil and Criminal Courts and the Family Court; and the third-tier, which is the Constitutional Court.
The Role of President
The president of Malta is elected by the parliament for a term of five years. The president’s role is mainly ceremonial and symbolic, and they have limited powers. The president is the head of state and represents Malta on the international stage. The president also has the power to grant pardons and clemency, as well as appointment of judges on the recommendation of the prime minister.
The Role of Prime Minister
The prime minister of Malta is the head of government and the leader of the political party that holds the majority in the parliament. The prime minister is responsible for appointing other ministers to head different departments and ministries.
The prime minister’s role is to formulate policies and decisions on crucial matters. They are also responsible for communicating their party’s vision and plans to the public. The prime minister is also the country’s representative on the international stage.
Parliamentary System
Malta’s parliamentary system follows the Westminster model, which is the same as that of the United Kingdom. The system is based on the separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.
The parliament is composed of 67 members, who are elected for a term of five years through a proportional representation system. This system ensures that smaller parties are also represented in the parliament.
FAQs on Malta’s Political Structure
1. Who is the President of Malta?
The current president of Malta is George Vella, who was elected in 2019.
2. Who is the Prime Minister of Malta?
The current prime minister of Malta is Robert Abela. He took office in January 2020.
3. What is Malta’s political system?
Malta has a parliamentary representative democratic system.
4. How is the president of Malta elected?
The president of Malta is elected by the parliament for a term of five years.
5. How many members of parliament does Malta have?
The Maltese parliament has 67 members who are elected for a term of five years.
6. What is the role of the Maltese judiciary?
The Maltese judiciary is responsible for interpreting and applying the laws. It is independent of the executive and legislative branches of government.
7. What is the role of the Prime Minister?
The Prime Minister is the head of government and the leader of the political party that holds the majority in parliament. They are responsible for formulating policies and decisions on crucial matters.