Malta [International encyclopaedia of laws : constitutional law]

Abstract

To write the history of the Constitution of Malta deserves a book in its own right. However, in brief, Malta has been a colony of several great powers such as the Romans, the Arabs, the Normans, the Knights of St John, the French and, more recently, the British. The historical journey of Malta as an independent state culminates on 21 September 1964, the date which was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom (UK) for Malta’s independence. Prior to attaining independence, Malta was a United Kingdom colony. The British came to Malta in 1800 following a request to that effect by the local inhabitants and they held control over Malta till 20 September 1964. Malta is thus a relatively newcomer to the international community of states with a life history of fifty-three years. However, although from a historical perspective, fifty-three years might seem to constitute too short a time span, these fifty-three years have proved to be quite eventful. Landmark dates include 13 December 1974 when Malta became a republic and 1 May 2004 when Malta acceded to the European Union (EU). Malta had also joined, earlier, the United Nations and several of its specialized agencies, the Council of Europe, other international and regional institutions, including courts and tribunals, whilst it established various bodies and offices which did not exist in colonial times such as an elaborate national system of local self-government, an Ombudsman and a Central Bank of Malta, a thriving maritime, financial services, gaming and aircraft registration, and film industry. It also strengthened other institutions which existed under British rule such as the Broadcasting Authority, the Director of Audit (subsequently re-designated in the Constitution as ‘Auditor General’), developed a myriad of Standing and Select Committees for the House of Representatives, set up several corporations, commissions, boards, quasi-judicial tribunals and other institutions which were inexistent fifty-three years ago. [Excerpt from: An Introduction to Maltese Constitutional History]