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Malta

Malta is a parliamentary representative democratic republic. Malta has two levels of government: central or federal (a House of Representatives) and municipal (local councils). The President of Malta is the country's constitutional head of state, while the Prime Minister of Malta is the head of its government and cabinet. Legislative power in Malta is held in the Parliament of Malta, consisting of the President and a unicameral House of Representatives.

Malta's House of Representatives elects the President of Malta. Ministers are selected by the President, with the recommendation of the Prime Minister, from members of the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives consists of 65 members from 13 constituencies.

Elections

Central government elections are held at least every five years (2008, 2013, etc.) The electoral system is a single transferable vote.

Political Parties

There are two main political parties in Malta: the Partit Nazzjonalista (Nationalist Party or PN) and the Partit Laburista (Labour Party or PL). There are two other minor political parties, Alternattiva Demokratika (Democratic Alternative - a Green party) and the Azzjoni Nazzjonali (National Action).

Sliema & St. Julian's

In Malta, municipal governments or local councils are responsible for the administration of villages. Local councils are elected every three years in a proportional representation single transferable vote system. The Mayor is the head of the Council, while the Executive Secretary (appointed by the Council) is its executive, administrative, and financial head.

Local council's services include the general upkeep of Maltese villages, embellishments such as gardens and parks, local wardens, rubbish and recyclables collection, bulk refuse collection, public WiFi, libraries, the collection of rents and funds for the central government, and answering government-related public inquiries. Local councils also provide free computer classes to locals, as well as Maltese language classes to expats.

Sliema's local council office is located on Depiro Street (Triq Depiro). Office opening hours are Monday to Friday, 0800-1230 and 1415-1700 hrs (8:00am-12:30pm and 2:15-5:00 pm) during the winter, and Monday to Friday, 0730-1330 hrs (7:30am-1:30pm) during the summer. Sliema local council can be contacted via email (sliema.lc@gov.mt) or phone at +356 2133 7633.

St. Julian's local council office is located on Forrest Street (Triq Forrest) in Spinola Bay. Office opening hours are Monday to Friday, 0700-1200 hrs & 1230-1545 hrs (7:00am-12:00pm and 12:30pm-3:45 pm), and Saturdays 0800-1130 hrs (8:00-11:30 am) in the winter. The St. Julian's local council office is also open Monday to Friday 0700-1200 hrs & 1215-1345 hrs (7:00am-12:00 pm and 12:15-1:45 pm), and Saturdays 0800-1130 hrs (8:00-11:30 am) during the summer months, except August when it is open Monday to Friday 0700-1330 hrs (7:30 am-1:30 pm) and Saturday 0800-1130 hrs (8:00-11:30 am). St. Julian's local council can be contacted via email (sangiljan.lc@gov.mt) or phone at +356 2137 3111.