Parliament of Malta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Parliament of MaltaIl-Parlament ta' Malta |
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|---|---|
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| Type | |
| Type | |
| Houses | House of Representatives |
| History | |
| Founded | 1921 |
| Leadership | |
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Speaker
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| Structure | |
| Seats | 67 |
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Political groups
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Government
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| Elections | |
| Single transferable vote | |
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Last election
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3 June 2017 |
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Next election
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2022 |
| Meeting place | |
.jpeg) |
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| Parliament House, Valletta | |
| Website | |
| http://www.parlament.mt/ | |
The Parliament of Malta (which in Maltese is Il-Parlament ta' Malta) is the main law-making body in Malta. It is located in the capital city, Valletta. This important group helps run the country.
Malta's parliament is unicameral. This means it has only one main group of lawmakers. This group is called the House of Representatives. The President of Malta is also part of the parliament.
All government ministers, including the Prime Minister, must be members of the House of Representatives. This rule is part of Malta's Constitution.
Contents
What is a Parliament?
A parliament is a group of people chosen by citizens to make laws. These laws help a country run smoothly. They also decide how public money is spent.
How Laws Are Made
Members of parliament discuss new ideas for laws. They vote on these ideas. If an idea gets enough votes, it becomes a law. This process ensures that new laws reflect the needs of the people.
The House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is where elected members meet. These members are called Members of Parliament, or MPs. They represent different parts of Malta.
Who Are the Members?
Currently, there are 67 members in the House of Representatives. They come from different political parties. The party with the most members usually forms the government.
Political Parties in Parliament
The main political groups in Malta's parliament are:
- The Government, which is currently the Labour Party. They have 37 members.
- The Opposition, which is the Nationalist Party. They have 28 members.
- There are also 2 Independent members. They do not belong to a major party.
How Members Are Chosen
Members of the House of Representatives are chosen by the people of Malta. This happens through a special voting system called the Single transferable vote. The last election was on 3 June 2017. The next one is expected in 2022.
Key People in Parliament
There are important roles within the Parliament of Malta. These roles help the parliament work well.
The President
The President of Malta is the head of state. This person makes sure the laws are followed. They also represent Malta on the world stage.
The Speaker
The Speaker is like the referee of the parliament. They lead the meetings of the House of Representatives. The Speaker makes sure everyone follows the rules during debates.
Parliament House
The Parliament of Malta meets in a special building. This building is called Parliament House. It is located in the heart of Valletta.
History of Parliament House
The current Parliament House is a modern building. It was opened in 2015. Before that, parliament met in the Grandmaster's Palace. The new building was designed to be more suitable for modern parliamentary work.
History of Malta's Parliament
Malta's parliament has a long history. It was first established in 1921. This was an important step for Malta. It meant that Maltese people could make their own laws.
From Colony to Republic
Malta was once a British colony. Over time, it gained more control over its own affairs. The establishment of the parliament in 1921 was a big part of this journey. Malta became a fully independent republic in 1974. Its parliament has continued to grow and change since then.
