Kurt Sansone and Darrin Zammit Lupi look back at 2014, characterised by bullets, bombs, change in high office, a landslide victory and a marathon speech.

Photos: Alan Carville, Matthew Mirabelli, Paul Spiteri Lucas, Mark Zammit Cordina and Darrin Zammit Lupi.

In April, Parliament approved a historic law regulating civil unions, giving gay partners the same rights as married couples, including the freedom to adopt children. The Nationalist Party parliamentary group abstained.In April, Parliament approved a historic law regulating civil unions, giving gay partners the same rights as married couples, including the freedom to adopt children. The Nationalist Party parliamentary group abstained.

A coalition of green groups in March presented the Electoral Commission with a petition signed by more than 40,000 voters calling for an abrogative referendum to be held on whether to ban spring hunting. The commission gave its approval and the request is now before the Constitutional Court.A coalition of green groups in March presented the Electoral Commission with a petition signed by more than 40,000 voters calling for an abrogative referendum to be held on whether to ban spring hunting. The commission gave its approval and the request is now before the Constitutional Court.

Hunters responded to the impending referendum on spring hunting by presenting MPs with a non-legally binding petition, of more than 100,000 signatures, calling to make illegal the abolition of minority rights by referendum. The petition was passed on to Planning Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon, a hunter, in June.Hunters responded to the impending referendum on spring hunting by presenting MPs with a non-legally binding petition, of more than 100,000 signatures, calling to make illegal the abolition of minority rights by referendum. The petition was passed on to Planning Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon, a hunter, in June.

Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca was sworn in as the ninth President in April, making her the second woman to occupy the post. At 55, she was also the youngest to occupy the office.Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca was sworn in as the ninth President in April, making her the second woman to occupy the post. At 55, she was also the youngest to occupy the office.

Archbishop Paul Cremona stepped down in October, citing exhaustion. Bishop Charles Scicluna was appointed Apostolic Administrator until a successor is named.Archbishop Paul Cremona stepped down in October, citing exhaustion. Bishop Charles Scicluna was appointed Apostolic Administrator until a successor is named.

Karmenu Vella was assigned the environment, fisheries and maritime affairs portfolio by European Commission president Jean Claude Juncker after getting through a grilling by MEPs unscathed in September. Photo: ReutersKarmenu Vella was assigned the environment, fisheries and maritime affairs portfolio by European Commission president Jean Claude Juncker after getting through a grilling by MEPs unscathed in September. Photo: Reuters

In November, Finance Minister Edward Scicluna delivered the longest Budget speech in living memory, at nearly four hours.In November, Finance Minister Edward Scicluna delivered the longest Budget speech in living memory, at nearly four hours.

A shooting incident involving home affairs minister Manuel Mallia’s driver, Paul Sheehan, shocked the country in November and led to the minister being sacked.A shooting incident involving home affairs minister Manuel Mallia’s driver, Paul Sheehan, shocked the country in November and led to the minister being sacked.

Jonathan Pace, 31 of Żejtun, the former owner of Tyson Butcher, was charged with the attempted murder of Vince Muscat. In August, days after being released on bail, Mr Pace was gunned down in his Fgura apartment.Jonathan Pace, 31 of Żejtun, the former owner of Tyson Butcher, was charged with the attempted murder of Vince Muscat. In August, days after being released on bail, Mr Pace was gunned down in his Fgura apartment.

Anniversary celebrations of key dates in Malta’s history, including the 50th anniversary of Independence Day and the 40th anniversary of Republic Day, were bereft of controversy as the historical political bickering gave way to a show of unity. Prince William was the guest of honour on Independence Day.Anniversary celebrations of key dates in Malta’s history, including the 50th anniversary of Independence Day and the 40th anniversary of Republic Day, were bereft of controversy as the historical political bickering gave way to a show of unity. Prince William was the guest of honour on Independence Day.

In December, the government finally put pen to paper on the deal under which Chinese firm Shanghai Electric Power would buy a 33 per cent stake in Enemalta and acquire a 90 per cent shareholding in the BWSC plant.In December, the government finally put pen to paper on the deal under which Chinese firm Shanghai Electric Power would buy a 33 per cent stake in Enemalta and acquire a 90 per cent shareholding in the BWSC plant.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat reshuffled his Cabinet in March in a move that saw Godfrey Farrugia resigning from minister after refusing the social solidarity portfolio offered to him instead of health.Prime Minister Joseph Muscat reshuffled his Cabinet in March in a move that saw Godfrey Farrugia resigning from minister after refusing the social solidarity portfolio offered to him instead of health.

In February, Pietru Cassar, known as il-Ħaqqa, was shot dead in his Żejtun garage, which the police had searched in 2012 during investigations after a bomb was placed under the car of Paul Degabriele, known as is-Suldat. The bomb did not go off but Mr Degabriele was shot and killed the following year.In February, Pietru Cassar, known as il-Ħaqqa, was shot dead in his Żejtun garage, which the police had searched in 2012 during investigations after a bomb was placed under the car of Paul Degabriele, known as is-Suldat. The bomb did not go off but Mr Degabriele was shot and killed the following year.

A car bomb in June killed Darren Degabriele from Birżebbuġa and his girlfriend escaped the blast with minor injuries.A car bomb in June killed Darren Degabriele from Birżebbuġa and his girlfriend escaped the blast with minor injuries.

In the May European Parliament elections, the Nationalist Party suffered another major defeat at the polls as Labour retained its massive vote lead. Opposition leader Simon Busuttil’s saving grace was the PN’s last-minute clinching of a third seat for the first time.In the May European Parliament elections, the Nationalist Party suffered another major defeat at the polls as Labour retained its massive vote lead. Opposition leader Simon Busuttil’s saving grace was the PN’s last-minute clinching of a third seat for the first time.

July saw Maltese oil worker Martin Galea, a retired army captain, kidnapped in Libya by a little known militia group. He was released 11 days later to the Maltese consulate in Tripoli following a tortuous day in which the captors kept changing the drop-off point.July saw Maltese oil worker Martin Galea, a retired army captain, kidnapped in Libya by a little known militia group. He was released 11 days later to the Maltese consulate in Tripoli following a tortuous day in which the captors kept changing the drop-off point.

Malta played host to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in November with a dazzling show held inside the massive shed at the former shipbuilding site in Marsa.Malta played host to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in November with a dazzling show held inside the massive shed at the former shipbuilding site in Marsa.

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