constitutional development

• Constitution


  A group of principles showing how a state or government will function
• Main Constitutions to know

  • 1921 Constitution
  • 1947 Constitution
  • 1964 Constitution - the Granting of Independence
  • 1974 Constitution - the Republic
• Sette Giugno


  Events in 1919 where people were protesting the British Government demanding more political rights and freedom
• Formation of Malta's first Self Government


  1921
• 1921 Constitution


  • Malta had two systems of Administration: Maltese Imperial Government controlled by London, and Maltese Government directed by an Executive Council with seven ministries intended to manage local affairs
  • The Maltese Imperial Government was led by the Governor General
  • There was an election in 1921 contested by several political parties
• Looking at the names of the Political parties, there was a strong Italian influence which was still prevalent in Malta in the opening decades of the 1900s
• The 1921 election was won by means of a coalition between two parties: Partito Democratico Nazionalista and the Unione Politica Maltese. The government, however, was short-lived due to disagreements
• In 1933, the Nationalist Party led by Enrico Mizzi won the elections by a large majority. As the Nationalist Party had strong ties with Italy and because WWII was looming in the horizon, the British suspended the 1921 Constitution in 1933
• In 1940, Mizzi was arrested and imprisoned. In February 1942, Governor Dobbie took out a warrant to deport 47 Maltese to the Uganda, Mizzi amongst them
• The 1947 Constitution was granted two years after the end of WWII


  1947
• 1947 Constitution


  • It provided for Self-Government
  • Universal Suffrage to all citizens aged 21 years and over
  • There were 40 seats in Parliament available for elected Maltese members
  • The British Governor had the right to control Malta's infrastructure, security, and currency, and could reverse any decision taken by the elected Government of Malta
• The 1947 election was won by the Labour Party. At this time, the Labour Party started working for the Integration of Malta with Britain
• Malta became Independent on 21st September 1964


  1964
• 1964 Constitution


  • Malta was Independent from the UK but the Head of the Maltese Government remained the Queen of England (Queen Elizabeth II)
  • Maltese and English became Malta's two official languages, and both had the same standing
  • The Maltese National anthem was declared to be the Innu Malti by Dun Karm Psaila
  • The Maltese Flag came to be officially recognized for the first time
  • The Roman Catholic faith was recognized as the official religion of Malta
• Dr George Borg Olivier became the First Maltese Prime Minister. Sir Maurice Dorman became the first Governor of Independent Malta, representing the Queen of England
• Malta became a Republic, the Head of State no longer remained Queen Elizabeth II. The first appointed President of the Republic was Sir Anthony Mamo


  1974