President of Malta

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President of the Republic of Malta
Presidential Standard
Incumbent: Edward Fenech Adami
Inaugural	Anthony Mamo
Formation	December 13, 1974
Website	[1]

Malta

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Malta

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The office of the President of Malta (Maltese: President ta' Malta), came into being on 13 December 1974, when Malta became a Commonwealth republic. Queen Elizabeth II ceased to be head of state (Queen of Malta), and the last Governor-General, Sir Anthony Mamo, became the first President of Malta.

The President of Malta is the constitutional head of state, with executive powers remaining with the Prime Minister. The President is elected by the unicameral House of Representatives (Maltese: Kamra tar-Rappreżentanti) for a five year term. The first woman to hold the post of President was the late Agatha Barbara.

The President of Malta is also ex-officio Chairman of the Commission for the Administration of Justice of Malta.

Edward Fenech Adami is the current President of Malta.

[edit] Detailed Constitutional Powers

The constitutional attributions of the president are defined in Chapter V of the Constitution of Malta.

*48. (1) There shall be a President of Malta who shall be appointed by Resolution of the House of Representatives.

(2) A person shall not be qualified to be appointed to the office of President if - (a) he is not a citizen of Malta; or (b) he holds or has held the office of Chief Justice or other Judge of the Superior Courts; or (c) he is not eligible for appointment to or to act in any public office in accordance with articles 109, 118 and 120 of this Constitution.

(3) The office of President shall become vacant - (a) on the expiration of five years from the date of the appointment to that office; or (b) if the holder of the office is removed from office by Resolution of the House of Representatives on the ground of inability to perform the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or any other cause) or misbehaviour.

49. Whenever the office of President is temporarily vacant, and until a new President is appointed, and whenever the holder of the office is absent from Malta or on vacation or is for any reason unable to perform the functions conferred upon him by this Constitution, those functions shall be performed by such person as the Prime Minister, after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition, may appoint or, if there is no person in Malta so appointed and able to perform those functions, by the Chief Justice.

*50. A person appointed to or assuming the functions of the office of President shall, before entering upon that office, take and subscribe the oath of office set out in the Second Schedule to this Constitution. Any person appointed to the office of President under sub-article (1) of article 48 of this Constitution shall take the oath of office before the House.^[1]

[edit] Official Residences

The official office of the president is the Grandmaster's Palace in Valletta. Other presidential residences include:

• San Anton Palace - It is the official residence.
• Verdala Palace - It is used as a summer residence.

[edit] Summary

Among the powers of the president:

• The president promulgates laws.
• The president may dissolve the House of Representatives of Malta acting on the request of the Prime Minister of Malta.
• The president names the Prime Minister with the President making his or her decision based on the situation within the Maltese parliament.
• The president names most officials (with the assent of the Prime Minister of Malta).
• The president receives foreign ambassadors.
• The president may grant a pardon (but not an amnesty) to convicted criminals; the president can also lessen or suppress criminal sentences.

[edit] President's Flag

Until 1988, there was no flag for the President of Malta, who instead used the national flag, but in that year a new flag was introduced, with the coat of arms on a blue field, and a traditional Maltese Cross in gold in each corner.

[edit] List of Presidents

• 1974-1976: Anthony Mamo (1909-2008)
• 1976-1981: Anton Buttigieg (1912-1983)
• 1981-1982: Acting President Albert Hyzler (1916-1993)
• 1982-1987: Agatha Barbara (1923-2002)
• 1987-1989: Acting President Paul Xuereb (1923-1994)
• 1989-1994: Vincent Tabone (born 1913)
• 1994-1999: Ugo Mifsud Bonnici (born 1932)
• 1999-2004: Guido de Marco (born 1931)
• 2004-present: Edward Fenech Adami (born 1934)

[edit] External links

• President of Malta

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