President of Malta

The president of Malta (Maltese: President ta' Malta) is the constitutional head of state of Malta. This role helps guide the country and represents its people both at home and abroad. The president is indirectly elected by the House of Representatives of Malta for a five-year term. Before starting their job, the president must promise to "preserve, protect and defend" the Constitution of Malta.

The president plays a key role in the government. They are part of Parliament and help choose members of the judiciary, who make sure laws are followed fairly. The day-to-day work of running the country is mostly done by the prime minister. The president makes sure that all parts of the government work together smoothly and supports the rules that keep Malta safe and fair for everyone.

Establishment of office

The role of the president of Malta (Maltese: President ta' Malta) began on 13 December 1974. This started when Malta became a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations. Before this, Queen Elizabeth II was the head of state and Queen of Malta (Maltese: Reġina ta' Malta). The last governor-general, Sir Anthony Mamo, became the first president of Malta.

Qualifications

To become the president of Malta, a person must follow some rules. They must be a citizen of Malta. They also cannot have been a Chief Justice or any other judge of the Superior Courts. They must also be able to hold or act in any public office as allowed by Articles 109, 118, and 120 of the Constitution.

Assumption of office

Before becoming the president, the person chosen must take a special promise in front of the House of Representatives of Malta.

The promise says: “I, (name of the person), promise to do my best as President of Malta and to protect and support the rules of Malta. (So help me God)."

Temporary vacancy

If the president of Malta is away, on leave, or unable to do their job, someone else takes over. This person is chosen by the prime minister after talking with the leader of the opposition. If no one is chosen, the speaker of the House of Representatives steps in to do the president’s work.

Even after five years, the president’s job doesn’t end right away. They stay in office until the House of Representatives votes with a big majority to change it. Until that happens, the president keeps doing their duties.

Role of the president

The president of Malta has many important jobs. They make laws official. They can end the time of the House of Representatives if asked by the prime minister or if the government loses a vote of no confidence. The president chooses the prime minister based on who has the most support in the House of Representatives. They also pick most members of special government groups, with the prime minister’s agreement.

The president meets leaders from other countries when they come to Malta. They can also forgive people who were found guilty of crimes or make their punishment shorter, but only if the government leaders agree. The president leads a group that helps with fair justice in Malta and is in charge of special awards and honors for Maltese people. They also support a charity that helps good causes and individuals in Malta.

Official residences

The president of Malta works in the Grandmaster's Palace in Valletta. The president can also stay in other places, such as:

• San Anton Palace in Attard – this is often used as an office.
• Verdala Palace in Buskett – used as a summer home.

Presidential standard

Before December 12, 1988, the presidents of Malta used the national flag as their symbol. On that date, a special proclamation created the presidential standard of Malta. This special flag is now flown at the president’s official homes and offices, as well as at any event where the president is present.

Termination of appointment

The president's term can end in several ways. The president may choose to leave the job early by resigning. The term also ends after five years from the date of appointment.

If the president cannot perform their duties due to health issues or serious problems, at least two-thirds of the House of Representatives of Malta may decide to remove them. The president’s term also ends if they pass away while in office.

The veto anomaly

The Constitution of Malta does not let the president stop laws. When a bill comes to the president, they must agree to it quickly. This makes sure that the plans of the elected Government of Malta are not stopped by someone who was not chosen by everyone.

But sometimes, presidents have not followed this rule. They might say they will leave their job if they get a bill they do not like. They might also ask for changes in private talks. If the government does not have enough votes in Parliament, they cannot remove a president who refuses to agree to a bill. This could cause problems, because the president might have more power than the elected government. It is not clear if the courts of constitutional jurisdiction in Malta could fix this problem.