President of Malta

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President of Malta
Presidential Standard
File:Official-photo-president-of-malta-300x240.jpg Incumbent George Abela since 4 April 2009
Style	His Excellency
Appointer	House of Representatives of Malta
Term length	5 years
Inaugural holder	Anthony Mamo
Formation	13 December 1974
Website	http://president.gov.mt/

Malta

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

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The President of Malta is the constitutional head of state of the Republic of Malta. The President is elected by the Resolution of the unicameral House of Representatives (Maltese: Kamra tar-Rappreżentanti) for a five year term. The President of Malta is the guardian of the Constitution of Malta being himself the only one who takes this oath. If the President doubts the constitutionality of the law even if the advice of the Attorney General says it is constitutional, he may ask for clarification. Nevertheless, the President of Malta is bound to assent to the law, not to agree with it. The President of Malta also resides directly or indirectly in all three branches of the state. He is part of Parliament (established by the Constitution – section 51), he appoints the judiciary (section 96 of the constitution) and the executive authority is vested in the president (section 78 of the constitution).

Since 1989, the April 4 was established as the official date when the five-year term of the President begins and ends. George Abela is currently serving as the 8th President of Malta.

[edit] Formation and qualifications

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.

A person shall not be qualified to be appointed to the office of President if:

• He is not a citizen of Malta;
• He holds or has held the office of Chief Justice or other Judge of the Superior Courts;
• He is not eligible for appointment to or to act in any public office in accordance with articles 109, 118 and 120 of the Constitution.

The office of President shall become vacant:

• On the expiration of five years from the date of the appointment to that office;
• If the holder of the office is removed from office by Resolution of the House of Representatives of Malta 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.

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.

[edit] Role of the president

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.
• The president is ex-officio Chairman of the Commission for the Administration of Justice of Malta.

[edit] List of presidents

#	Picture	Name	Took Office	Left Office
1		Sir Anthony Mamo	13 December 1974	27 December 1976
2		Anton Buttigieg	27 December 1976	27 December 1981
		Albert Hyzler (acting)	27 December 1981	15 February 1982
3		Agatha Barbara (First Woman)	15 February 1982	15 February 1987
		Paul Xuereb (acting)	15 February 1987	4 April 1989
4		Vincent Tabone	4 April 1989	4 April 1994
5		Ugo Mifsud Bonnici	4 April 1994	4 April 1999
6		Guido de Marco	4 April 1999	4 April 2004
7		Edward Fenech Adami	4 April 2004	4 April 2009
8		George Abela	4 April 2009	Incumbent

[edit] Official residences

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

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

[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, The Presidential Flag of Malta was introduced by Proclamation dated 12 December, 1988. This flag is flown on the President's official residences and offices and on all occasions at which he is present. It has the same proportions as the National Flag and consists of a blue field with the Emblem of Malta at its centre; and a Maltese Cross in gold in each corner.

[edit] See also

• List of Presidents of Malta
• Prime Minister of Malta

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• President of Malta