50 years on: When Malta became a republic state

Precisely 50 years ago, on 13th December 1974, Malta became a republic within the Commonwealth.

This signified the end of monarch rule, replacing Queen Elizabeth II with Sir Anthony Mamo as Malta’s Head of State.

Malta voluntarily became part of the British Empire after the Napoleonic Wars when the Maltese population asked for help to be freed from the French. Malta soon became of great importance for the British Empire for its harbours both after the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 and during World War II, where the island was used as a military base.

A decade before being declared a republic Malta sought independence from the empire. Politically, Malta was divided with the Malta Labour Party, led by Dom Mintoff, asking for full integration with the UK or “self-determination” and the Nationalist Party, led by George Borg Olivier, seeking independence.

In 1958, former Prime Minister Mintoff, who had resigned over disputes with the British over dockyards and workers, had completely scrapped the idea of integration and sought full independence.

Despite gaining independence in 1964, Queen Elizabeth II was still the Head of State and was represented in Malta by a Governor-General. On the other hand, domestic governance was overseen by a Maltese Prime Minister and Parliament.

During the 10 years between becoming independent and becoming a republic, the political parties again clashed on the ties it would keep with the British. During the ’60s, the Labour Party was calling for Malta to have more control while the Nationalist Party wished to maintain close ties with the British.

In 1974, after political negotiations and parliamentary debates, a constitutional amendment was passed and removed the British monarch as the Head of State.

Since then, Malta has had several Presidents:

• Sir Anthony Mamo between 1974 and 1976

• Anthon Buttigieg between 1976 and 1981

• Agatha Barbara between 1982 and 1987

• Paul Xuereb between 1987 and 1989

• Ċensu Tabone between 1989 and 1994

• Ugo Mifsud Bonnici between 1994 and 1999

• Guido de Marco between 1999 and 2004

• Eddie Fenech Adami between 2004 and 2009

• George Abela between 2009 and 2014

• Marie Louise Coleiro Preca between 2014 and 2019

• George Vella between 2019 and 2024

• Myriam Spiteri Debono was appointed President of Malta on 4th April 2024