President of Malta - Formation and Qualifications

Formation and Qualifications

The office of the President of Malta (Maltese: President ta' Malta), came into being on 13 December 1974, when Malta became a republic within the Commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth II ceased to be head of state (Queen of Malta) (Maltese: Reġina ta' Malta), and the last Governor-General, Sir Anthony Mamo, became the first President of Malta.

A person shall not be qualified to be appointed to the office of President if:

• He is not a citizen of Malta;
• He holds or has held the office of Chief Justice or other Judge of the Superior Courts;
• He is not eligible for appointment to or to act in any public office in accordance with articles 109, 118 and 120 of the Constitution.
• He has already served once as President of Malta.

The office of President shall become vacant:

• On the expiration of five years from the date of the appointment to that office;
• If the holder of the office is removed from office by Resolution of the House of Representatives of Malta on the ground of inability to perform the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or any other cause) or misbehaviour..

Whenever the office of President is temporarily vacant, and until a new President is appointed, and whenever the holder of the office is absent from Malta or on vacation or is for any reason unable to perform the functions conferred upon him by this Constitution, those functions shall be performed by such person as the Prime Minister, after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition, may appoint or, if there is no person in Malta so appointed and able to perform those functions, by the Chief Justice.