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The capital of Malta island is La Valletta, its area, including the islands Gozo and Comino too, measures 316 square kilometres, the population is made up of 400,000 inhabitants, the gross domestic product is 4.3 billion Euros. The inflation is 3.7%, its unemployment rate is 8.6%, the deficit is –5.1%, and its National debt is 72.4%. As a fromer British colony, Malta achieved its Inidpendence in 1964, yet the Republic was proclaimed just 10 years later, in ’74. Malta includes, besides the anonymous island, the islands of Gozo and Comino and some smaller islands. Malta has a parliamentary form of government, with a Prime Minister responsible towards the Parliament and a President elected every 5 years by the legislative organ. The Ministers are chosen by the President of Republic, according to the Prime Minister’s indications, among the members of the Chamber of Representatives. The Chamber of Representatives, that owns the legislative power, is made upof 65 members, elected every 5 years according to a proportional system. The Present President of Malta is Edward Ferench Adami, elected in April 2004 and belonging to the nationalist party. The Prime Minister in office since March 2004 is Lawrence Gonzi, leader of the nationalist party. The party-system in Malta is made up of two main party, so it provide for a remarkable political stability. The last elections of the Chamber of Representatives date back to the 12th April 2003, when the leadership of the nationalist party has been confirmed. It get the 51.8% of the votes and 35 out of the 65 deputies who make up the Chamber of Representatives belond to it, while 30 belong to the opposition party, the Maltese labourist party. Malta joined the European Union the 1st May 2004. After an adhesion referendum, held in March 2003, when Malta had the lowest percentage in favour of the adhesion, as a good 46% of the Malteses voted against the adhesion. Due to its dimensions, Malta replaced Luxembourg as the smallest country within the Union as far as number of inhabitants and of seats. After the enlargement, it owns 5 seats out of the 732 that make up the European Parliament. The tradinal Maltese electoral system is proportional with single transferable vote. The elections for the European parliament took place on the 12th June 2004 and they recorded one of the highest afflueces in Europe, as more than the 82% of the Maltese voters went to the polls. The electors awarded the two traditional parties: the Nationalist party and the Labourist party. The latter, with the 49% of the votes, gained 3 seats and its deputies joined the European Socialist party. The Nationalist party get the 40% of the votes and 2 seats and its deputies joined the Popular party. The Nationalist party lose more than 11% of votes, compared to the political elections in 2003. The Maltese commissary, within Barroso’s commission, is Joe Borg. He is the commissary for the fishing and the sea affairs.
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