Introduction: Great Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814. The island staunchly supported the UK through both world wars and remained in the Commonwealth when it became independent in 1964. A decade later Malta became a republic. Since about the mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a financial center, and a tourist destination. Malta became an EU member in May 2004 and began using the euro as currency in...

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Political Overview: Malta became independent in September 1964, having been under British rule since 1800. The Constitution of 1964 established Malta as a liberal parliamentary democracy with regular elections based on universal suffrage. Legislative power is held by the unicameral House of Representatives (69 members excluding the Speaker). Members are directly elected for five years (subject to dissolution) on the basis of a single transferable vote system of proportional representation. The Cabinet exercises executive power and is responsible to the Parliament.

In 1974 the Constitution was modified to make Malta a republic. The Head of ...

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