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 (Maltese: Prim Ministru ta' Malta) 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 areas. The Prime Minister stays in office 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 who they believe has the most support from the House of Representatives. Usually, this is the leader of the political party or group of parties that won the most seats in Parliament.
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How the Prime Minister's Job Started
The job of "Head of Ministry" began in 1921. This was when Malta was given some power to govern itself. The rules for this government were stopped twice. The first time (1930–1933), the leader and their team stayed in power. But after the second stop in 1934, the team was dismissed.
In 1936, the rules were completely removed. The job of Prime Minister did not exist while Malta was under direct British rule. The job was brought back in 1947 when Malta gained self-government again. It was then called the "Prime Minister of Malta." The job was stopped once more between 1958 and 1962. However, it returned mostly unchanged when Malta became independent in 1964. Later, in 1974, Malta became a republic, but the Prime Minister's role remained.
Becoming the Prime Minister
Before starting their job, the chosen person must take an oath. This oath is a promise made in front of the House of Representatives of Malta.
The oath says: I, (name of nominee), 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).
What the Prime Minister Does
The President of Malta is the head of the government on paper. But it is the Prime Minister who actually leads the government. The President appoints the Prime Minister. This is the member of Parliament who the President believes can get the most votes in the House of Representatives. The Prime Minister also advises the President on who should be appointed as other ministers.
The Prime Minister must always keep the President fully updated. They share information about how the government is running. If the Prime Minister is away from Malta, the President can ask another minister to take over temporarily. Usually, the Deputy Prime Minister does this job.
The Prime Minister's Office (OPM)
The Prime Minister is also in charge of several government departments. The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has been located at the Auberge de Castille in Valletta since 1972. This office is very important for making government decisions. It is also the main administrative center for the government.
The OPM's main goal is to help the Prime Minister lead the government. It helps make sure the government is stable and works well. Key parts of the OPM include the Cabinet Secretariat, the Management and Personnel Office, and the Department of Information.
Official Homes of the Prime Minister
Villa Francia is the official home of the Prime Minister. It is in the village of Lija. The Girgenti Palace in Siġġiewi is used as the Prime Minister's summer home. These buildings are mostly used for official events. This includes welcoming important visitors. They are seen as important symbols of the country.
List of Prime Ministers
As of 2022, Malta has had fourteen Prime Ministers. Four of these are still alive today.
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
