Prime Minister of Malta
Encyclopedia
The Prime Minister of Malta is the Head of Government
of Malta
.
) 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The constitution was revoked in 1936 and the post did not exist for as long as Malta was under direct colonial administration.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 post was again suppressed when the 1947 constitution was again suspended between 1958 and 1962 but was retained largely unchanged in the 1964 Independence constitution and the subsequent amendments of 1974 which transformed the form of government into a republic
.
, who nominally heads the Executive branch, appoints as Prime Minister the member of parliament who, in the opinion of the President, is best able to command a majority of the members of the House of Representatives
. 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 general 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 that member may perform those functions temporarily. It is usually the Deputy Prime Minister who fills in this role as Acting Prime Minister.
Constitutionally, the Prime Minister is also responsible for appointing Permanent Secretaries
as well as tender advice to the President on the appointment of members to the Judiciary
and constitutional bodies.
in Valletta
since 1972, playing a central role in decision-making apart from being the administrative headquarters of the Government.
The OPM's 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, the Department of Information and the Armed Forces of Malta
(AFM). Currently, there are over 300 staff in the OPM not including some 1,500 personnel with the AFM.
Head of government
Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled prime minister, chief minister, premier, etc...
of Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
.
Establishment of the office and developments
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 (1930–33) the Head of Ministry (at the time Gerald StricklandGerald Strickland, 1st Baron Strickland
Gerald Strickland, 1st Baron Strickland, 6th Count of Catena, GCMG was a Maltese and British politician and peer, who served as Prime Minister of Malta, Governor of the Leeward Islands, Governor of Tasmania, Governor of Western Australia and Governor of New South Wales.-Early...
) 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 direct 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 post was again suppressed when the 1947 constitution was again suspended between 1958 and 1962 but was retained largely unchanged in the 1964 Independence constitution and the subsequent amendments of 1974 which transformed the form of government into a republic
Republic
A republic is a form of government in which the people, or some significant portion of them, have supreme control over the government and where offices of state are elected or chosen by elected people. In modern times, a common simplified definition of a republic is a government where the head of...
.
Constitutional functions
The President of MaltaPresident of Malta
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 five year term, taking an oath to "preserve, protect and defend" the Constitution....
, who nominally heads the Executive branch, appoints as Prime Minister the member of parliament who, in the opinion of the President, is best able to command a majority of the members of the House of Representatives
House of Representatives of Malta
The House of Representatives is the unicameral legislature of Malta and a component of the Parliament of Malta.The House is composed of an odd number of members elected for a five year term...
. 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 general 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 that member may perform those functions temporarily. It is usually the Deputy Prime Minister who fills in this role as Acting Prime Minister.
Constitutionally, the Prime Minister is also responsible for appointing Permanent Secretaries
Permanent Secretary
The Permanent secretary, in most departments officially titled the permanent under-secretary of state , is the most senior civil servant of a British Government ministry, charged with running the department on a day-to-day basis...
as well as tender advice to the President on the appointment of members to the Judiciary
Judiciary
The judiciary is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law in the name of the state. The judiciary also provides a mechanism for the resolution of disputes...
and constitutional bodies.
Office of the Prime Minister of Malta (OPM)
As minister in his own right the Prime Minister is responsible for a number of departments of government. The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has been based at the Auberge de CastilleAuberge de Castille
The Auberge de Castille is located within the city of Valletta and houses the office of the Prime Minister of Malta.-Order of St.John:When the Knights of St John built the city of Valletta they constructed an auberge or inn for each seven of their eight langues...
in Valletta
Valletta
Valletta is the capital of Malta, colloquially known as Il-Belt in Maltese. It is located in the central-eastern portion of the island of Malta, and the historical city has a population of 6,098. The name "Valletta" is traditionally reserved for the historic walled citadel that serves as Malta's...
since 1972, playing a central role in decision-making apart from being the administrative headquarters of the Government.
The OPM's 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, the Department of Information and the Armed Forces of Malta
Armed Forces of Malta
The Armed Forces of Malta is the name given to the combined armed services of Malta. The AFM is a brigade sized organisation consisting of a headquarters and three separate battalions, with minimal air and naval forces.- Headquarters, AFM :...
(AFM). Currently, there are over 300 staff in the OPM not including some 1,500 personnel with the AFM.
Girgenti Palace
Girgenti Palace is the official residence of the Prime Minister however it is not widely used.See also
- List of Prime Ministers of Malta
- President of MaltaPresident of MaltaThe 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 five year term, taking an oath to "preserve, protect and defend" the Constitution....
- Government of MaltaGovernment of MaltaThe 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...
- House of Representatives of MaltaHouse of Representatives of MaltaThe House of Representatives is the unicameral legislature of Malta and a component of the Parliament of Malta.The House is composed of an odd number of members elected for a five year term...