State of Malta explained

Conventional Long Name:State of Malta
Common Name:Malta
Era:Cold War
Government Type:Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Event Start:Independence
Year Start:1964
Date Start:21 September
Event End:Republic
Year End:1974
Date End:13 December
P1:Crown Colony of Malta
Flag P1:Flag of Malta (1943-1964).svg
S1:Malta
Flag S1:Flag of Malta.svg
Image Map Caption:Location of Malta in dark green
Capital:Valletta
Title Leader:Queen
Leader1:Elizabeth II
Year Leader1:1964–1974
Title Representative:Governor-General
Year Representative1:1964–1971
Representative2:Anthony Mamo
Year Representative2:1971–1974
Title Deputy:Prime Minister
Deputy1:George Borg Olivier
Year Deputy1:1964–1971
Deputy2:Dominic Mintoff
Year Deputy2:1971–1974
Legislature:Parliament
Currency:Sterling (1964–1972)
Maltese pound (1972–1974)
Iso3166code:omit

The State of Malta (Maltese: Stat ta’ Malta), commonly known as Malta, was the predecessor to the modern-day Republic of Malta. It existed between 21 September 1964 and 13 December 1974.

The Crown Colony of Malta became independent under the Malta Independence Act 1964 (c. 86) passed by the British Parliament. Under the new Constitution of Malta, approved in a referendum held in May of that year, Queen Elizabeth II became the queen of Malta. Her constitutional roles were delegated to the governor-general of Malta. Between 1964 and 1974, Elizabeth II visited Malta once, in November 1967.

Governors-general

The following governors-general held office in Malta between 1964 and 1974:

  1. Sir Maurice Henry Dorman (21 September 1964 – 4 July 1971)
  2. Sir Anthony Mamo (4 July 1971 – 13 December 1974)

Prime ministers

The following held office as prime minister (and head of government) of the State of Malta during this period:

  1. Giorgio Borġ Olivier (21 September 1964 – 21 June 1971)
  2. Dom Mintoff (21 June 1971 – 22 December 1984)

Transition to republic

On 13 December 1974, following amendments to the Constitution by the Labour government of Dom Mintoff, the monarchy was abolished and Malta became a republic within the Commonwealth with the function of head of state vested in a president appointed by Parliament. The last governor-general, Sir Anthony Mamo, was appointed the first president of Malta.

References

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