Historical background of the Maltese public service administration and management (the turning point)

Abstract

Malta gained independence from the United Kingdom on 21st September 1964. However, Malta still relied on its military strategic position in the Mediterranean for its economic survival. It was not until 31st March 1979 that Malta ceased being a fortress island, when all military and naval facilities closed down. The Government declared 31st March 1979 as “Freedom Day.” This day marks the historical event when the last British troops and the Royal Navy left Malta after their presence that date back to 1800. On taking power in 1971, the Labour Government signified that it wanted to re-negotiate the military and naval lease agreement with the United Kingdom. Following prolonged and at times apprehensive talks, a new agreement was signed, whereby the lease was extended till the end of March 1979 at a greatly increased rent. On 31 March 1979, the last British Forces left Malta. For the first time in a millennium, Malta was no longer a military base of a foreign power and it became in effect independent (de facto) and independent as a legal right (de jure). Thus, the Maltese public administration faced its first major challenge in the post-independence era. The challenge was the transformation from administering an economy based on foreign defence activities to a free market economy. The 1970s and 1980’s were characterised by an upsurge in economic growth and the introduction of a host of social benefits and services in a radical effort to curb poverty. In fact, successive government administrations over the decades have focused on economic growth and improving the social welfare of the Maltese citizen. Public Service employees have always risen to the challenge under various governments with different ideological philosophies, with the specific aim of serving the Maltese citizen.