Small state resilience in a polycrisis : Malta’s role in EU crisis management and democratic stability

Abstract

The ongoing polycrisis confronting the European Union encompassing migration, security threats, regional instability, and economic strain, has placed significant pressure on the political, legal, and administrative systems of member states. This paper explores Malta’s response to these challenges as a case study of democratic resilience within a small EU member state. Despite its limited size and resources, Malta has demonstrated institutional adaptability while upholding its constitutional commitments, its neutrality clause, during participation in EU crisis management frameworks. The study is guided by two core research questions, namely - How has Malta balanced its national interests and constitutional neutrality with its obligations under EU crisis management frameworks? In what ways has Malta contributed to the stability and resilience of EU governance during periods of polycrisis? By analysing Malta’s strategic role in EU migration policy, border security, the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), and broader crisis response initiatives such as cybersecurity and humanitarian aid, the paper demonstrates how small democratic states can actively participate in multilateral crisis governance without compromising their legal autonomy. Malta's experience highlights the institutional flexibility, diplomatic engagement, and policy influence that small states can employ to contribute to EU crisis management. The findings offer broader implications for understanding democratic resilience and the potential of small states in addressing complex, overlapping crises within multilateral frameworks.