Election Date: March 8, 2008

Abstract: At stake: House of Representatives

At stake: House of Representatives

Background

The Mediterranean country of Malta—an archipelago comprising seven islands—was the target of numerous attacks by the German and Italian forces during World War II. However, the European nation was never invaded.

Malta attained its independence from Britain on Sept. 21, 1964. On Dec. 13, 1974, it became a Republic with the president as head of state—but continued to belong to the British Commonwealth.

In 1979, the British army ended its presence in Malta, and the country sought to become a neutral nation.

In March 2003, the Maltese voted in favour of joining the European Union (EU) in a referendum. 53.6 per cent of participants in the island voted ‘Yes’, while 46.4 per cent voted ‘No’.

Two main parties dominate the Maltese political landscape: the Christian-democrat Nationalist Party (PN) and the social-democrat Malta Labour Party (MLP).

In the 2003 legislative election, the pro-European PN got 51.8 per cent of the vote and 35 seats in the House, while the MLP got 45.7 per cent of the vote and secured 30 seats. The PN’s Eddie Fenech Adami kept his job as Malta’s prime minister.

Fenech Adami had served as Malta’s head of government from 1987 to 1996, and regained power in 1998. During his tenure, the Maltese economy made a turn towards liberalization and privatization.

In 2004, Malta joined the EU and today remains the smallest member both in population—just over 400,000 people—and in area.

In March 2004, Fenech Adami retired and the PN’s Lawrence Gonzi became prime minister. The 2008 election will be the first fought by Gonzi as leader of the Nationalists.

On Apr. 4, 2004, Fenech Adami succeeded Guido de Marco as the country’s president.

2008 House of Representatives Election

On Jan. 1, Malta adopted the euro as its currency.

On Jan. 27, Alfred Sant returned to the leadership of the Malta Labour Party (MLP) after a hiatus forced by health complications. In his comeback speech, Sant declared: "I have to admit that one of the thoughts that were bearing down on me in the past weeks was that now, at this crucial juncture, when we are at the end of the road we’ve been going through all these years, I would be the one to jeopardize, as a result of my illness, the momentum we managed to gain."

Sant assured that if elected he would work to preserve Malta’s particular circumstances within the European Union (EU), and that he would lobby for a greater exchange between the EU and its neighbouring regions.

The governing Nationalist Party (PN) released a statement reacting to Sant’s address, which read, "In his first speech of the year he was expected to show his party’s vision for the coming years without going on the attack or being confrontational. Nonetheless, it was another speech with twisted facts and the usual attack against the prime minister and the government."

On Jan. 30, the European Commission was expected to announce it would ask the European Court of Justice to rule on Malta’s traditional spring hunting. The current government has long been an advocate of maintaining the practice, which the Commission deems illegal and wants banned. Spring hunting is a major issue in Malta and is a point of contention with Europe.

On Feb. 4, Gonzi scheduled the legislative election for Mar. 8, saying, “Party studies have shown that there are still a lot of undecided voters out there. This is a sign of maturity among people and it is our task to inform them.”

The Malta Labour Party (MLP) is led by Alfred Sant, who served as head of government from October 1996 to September 1998. Sant expressed confidence in a victory, saying, “Finally, the Maltese have the chance to decide who they want in government and the MLP has been steadily working towards offering a change.”

Two minor parties—the environmental Democratic Alternative (AD) and the right-wing National Action (AN)—are also contending.

On Mar. 6, Gonzi discussed the election, saying, “I know there are Nationalists out there saying they will not give their vote to Labour but will try the other parties instead of the PN. The truth is that, as has already happened in the past, this would mean that Alfred Sant becomes prime minister. That is why every vote counts and every possible vote has to go to the PN if we want another PN government.”

Also on Mar. 6, Sant criticized the fact that AD chairman Harry Vassallo was served with an arrest warrant just two days before the election, saying, “If the Nationalists were scared of Alternattiva they should have retaliated with arguments and not by using the police. This is Malta not the Ukraine. (...) The issue was left lying in a drawer to be plucked out when it best suited the Nationalists.”

Voting took place on Mar. 8. In all, 565 polling stations were installed for the 309,016 registered voters. Final results released on Mar. 10 gave the Nationalist Party (PN) the victory with 49.34 per cent of the vote, followed by the Labour Party (MLP) with 48.79 per cent. In all, the PN garnered 1,580 more votes than the MLP.

MLP leader Sant resigned with immediate effect, but will remain in the legislature. Gonzi declared: “This victory would enable us  to continue to work for the benefit of the country.” The PN leader also called for “calm and good natured” celebrations.

Voter turnout was tabled at 93.3 per cent.

Political Players

President: Eddie Fenech Adami - Nationalist Party
Prime Minister: Lawrence Gonzi - Nationalist Party

The House elects the President for a five-year term.

Legislative Branch: Il-Kamra tad-Deputati (House of Representatives) has a minimum of 65 members, elected to five-year terms in 13 multi-seat constituencies. Bonus members are awarded to the largest party, if no absolute majority is attained.

Results of Last Election:

House of Representatives - Apr. 12, 2003

	Vote%	Seats
Nationalist Party (PN)	51.8%	35
Malta Labour Party (MLP)	47.5%	30
Democratic Alternative (AD)	0.7 %	--

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