Constitution (2004)

REFERENDUMS HELD ON EUROPEAN MATTERS: 1

2003: EU - Accession (Yes 54 % - No 46 % - Turnout 91 % - both sides declared victory and the issue was settled by a general election one month later - the pro-EU party won with 51% of the vote)

CONSTITUTIONAL CONDITIONS - Constitution of Malta

Binding referendum provided if amendment of fundamental principles of the Constitution affected. Consultative referendum can anyhow be held if ordered by ad-hoc-law.

ARTICLES ABOUT INTERNATIONAL TREATIES, REFERENDUM AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Regulation about a special transfer of sovereignty to EU:
none

Approval of transfer of sovereignty without effect of constitutional amendment:
No constitutional regulation.

Approval of transfer of sovereignty with effect of constitutional amendment:
Not expressly regulated, but constitutional amendment required.

Approval of constitutional amendment:
Majority required and procedure varies according to the part of the Constitution which requires amending. Art. 66 ConstMalta.

Other constitutional regulations about referendums:
none

RATING AND DEBATE

On 29 January Malta became the third European Union member state to ratify the Treaty of Lisbon. The House of Representatives voted unanimously to approve a motion of ratification put by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who said the treaty was a strong instrument for Europe to move forward: "We began this legislature in 2003 following a referendum which approved EU membership. We are at the end of the legislature with the approval of this treaty," he said. Opposition leader Alfred Sant said that through the treaty, "the ideals of a social Europe are being implemented."

Eurobarometer (2006), The Future of Europe - Results for Malta, Special Eurobarometer 251, Fieldwork: 23/02 – 15/03 2006. (PDF)

PROCEDURE

Parliamentary vote

STATE OF THE PROCEDURE

On 29. January the House of Representatives voted unanimously to approve the motion of ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon.

RELEVANT DOCUMENTS AND MATERIAL