Prime Minister of Malta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prime Minister of MaltaPrim Ministru ta' Malta (Maltese) |
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Coat of arms of the Republic of Malta
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| Style | The Honourable (formal) His Excellency (diplomatic) |
| Member of | Cabinet of Malta European Council |
| Residence | Villa Francia (primary) Girgenti Palace (summer) |
| Appointer | President of Malta |
| Term length | 5 years, no direct term limit |
| Inaugural holder | Joseph Howard |
| Formation | 1923 |
| Deputy | Deputy Prime Minister |
| Salary | €50,276 annually |
| Website | http://opm.gov.mt/ |
The Prime Minister of Malta (called Prim Ministru ta' Malta in Maltese) is the main leader of the government in Malta. This person is the highest official in the country. The Prime Minister leads meetings of the Cabinet, which is a group of top government ministers. They also choose which ministers will be in charge of different government departments. The Prime Minister stays in power as long as they have the support of the Parliament. This means they are also a member of Parliament.
The President of Malta chooses the Prime Minister. The President picks the person they believe has the most support from the House of Representatives. This is usually the leader of the political party or group of parties that won the most seats in Parliament. The Prime Minister also receives a special honour called the Companion of Honour of the National Order of Merit.
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How the Prime Minister's Job Started
The job of "Head of Ministry" was first created in 1921. This was when Malta, which was a British colony, was allowed to govern itself. The rules for this government (the 1921 constitution) were stopped twice. The first time (from 1930 to 1933), the Head of Ministry and their team stayed in power. But after the second time in 1934, the government leaders were removed.
In 1936, the old rules were completely cancelled. The job of Prime Minister did not exist while Malta was directly ruled by Britain. The position was brought back in 1947 when Malta gained self-government again. At this time, the job was officially renamed "Prime Minister of Malta." The job was stopped once more between 1958 and 1962. However, it was fully restored with Malta's independence in 1964. Later changes in 1974 made Malta a republic, but the role of Prime Minister remained important.
Becoming Prime Minister
Before someone can start their job as Prime Minister, they must take an oath. This is a special promise made in front of the President of Malta.
The oath says: I, (name of the person), solemnly swear/affirm that I will faithfully execute the office of Prime Minister (perform the functions of the Prime Minister) of Malta, and will, to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of Malta. (So help me God). This promise shows they will do their best to protect Malta's laws and its people.
What the Prime Minister Does
The President of Malta is officially the head of the government's executive branch. But it is the Prime Minister who truly leads. The President appoints the Prime Minister based on who can get the most support in the House of Representatives. The Prime Minister then advises the President on who should be appointed as other ministers.
The Prime Minister must always keep the President updated on what the government is doing. If the Prime Minister is away from Malta, the President can ask another minister to take over temporarily. This role is usually filled by the Deputy Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister's Office (OPM)
The Prime Minister is also in charge of many government departments. The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has been located at the Auberge de Castille in Valletta since 1972. This building is very important for making government decisions. It is also where the government's main offices are located.
The OPM's main goal is to help the Prime Minister lead the government effectively. Key parts of the OPM include the Cabinet Secretariat, which helps with Cabinet meetings. There is also the Management and Personnel Office, and the Department of Information.
Official Homes
The Prime Minister has two official homes. Villa Francia is in the village of Lija and is the main official residence. The Girgenti Palace in Siġġiewi is used as the Prime Minister's summer home. These buildings are mostly used for official events, like welcoming important visitors. They are seen as important symbols of the government.
Past Prime Ministers
As of 2022, Malta has had fourteen Prime Ministers. Four of these former Prime Ministers are still alive.
See also
In Spanish: Primer ministro de Malta para niños
- List of prime ministers of Malta
- President of Malta
- Government of Malta
- House of Representatives of Malta
- Cabinet of Malta
