State & Government Structure

Malta is a small, developed, democratic Mediterranean island nation having gained independence from Britain in 1964. Malta is a sovereign state and a member of the United Nations, the European Union and the Commonwealth. Malta pursues a policy of neutrality and is not a member of any military alliance. Successive Maltese governments have consistently pursued a policy based on the encouragement of peace, stability and economic growth, particularly in the Mediterranean region.

In 1974, Malta adopted a Republican-style parliamentary democracy with a legislature consisting of one House. The head of state is the President, who is appointed by the House of Representatives and whose role is mainly ceremonial. The House of Representatives, consisting of 65 members, is elected by universal suffrage every five years, although there are no fixed terms.

Executive power rests with the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the party commanding the greatest measure of support in the House. Ministers are nominated to the Cabinet by the Prime Minister from among the elected members. Various local administrative matters are delegated by specific legislation to local councils.

Political Parties

There are two main political parties in Malta: the centre-right Nationalist Party (PN), which forms the current Government (as of end 2007), and the Labour Party (MLP). There are also a number of other smaller parties.

Legal System

The legal structure is based on the civil law pattern of continental Europe, but most administrative and fiscal legislation is based on British laws. Legislation is published in both the Maltese and English languages. The Judiciary enjoys complete independence from the executive and legislative bodies. In 1987, Malta recognised the right of individual petition to the European Courts of Justice and in the same year adopted the European Convention on Human Rights as part of Malta’s domestic legislation. From 1st May 2004, the country also adopted all the Directives applicable (aquis communautaire) within the European Union.

International relations

In May 2004, Malta joined the EU. Malta is a member of the United Nations (UN) and other organisations. Malta's contribution to the United Nations has been substantial. It has provided the United Nations with one of its Presidents of the General Assembly and has also been the driving force behind an ambitious UN directive, namely the Law of the Sea, the Constitution of the Oceans.

Besides being a member of the UN, Malta is a member of the OSCE, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the World Trade Organisation, the World Health Organisation, the International Labour Organisation, the Mediterranean Pact, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation and the OECD. Malta is a neutral state and pursues a policy of non alignment.

On accession to the European Union in May 2004, Malta had many EU-convergent regulations already in place, particularly in the financial services sector. All new legislation conforms to that of the EU. The country's judiciary is independent and not tainted by political influence.

As an EU member, Malta implemented the EU tariff system as part of its adoption of the body of EU law. Malta therefore falls under the EU’s customs union which calls for free trade and the absence of customs duties and quotas on trade among EU members. Malta has adopted the various preferential and non-preferential trading agreements that the EU has with third countries.