George Abela
Encyclopedia
George Abela is a Maltese
politician who has been President of Malta
since April 2009.
, Malta, to George and Ludgarda née Debono. He attended the local primary school in Qormi, and the Lyceum in Hamrun
. In 1965 he enrolled in the University of Malta
, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts
degree. He continued his studies as a teacher for a short while and became a notary public
, and in 1975 he graduated as a lawyer. He was immediately hired by the General Workers Union
as a legal consultant and worked within the Union for 25 years thereby obtaining considerable experience in employment law.
president, he was elected as the chairman of the Malta Football Association
. He brought changes within the MFA, and improved the infrastructure, where training grounds, a gymnasium, and a physiotherapy clinic were built, and artificial lighting was installed. The players of the Malta national football team
were engaged for the first time in training on a professional basis.
, and therefore attended cabinet meetings. He resigned from this post in 1997 following disagreement with Prime Minister Alfred Sant. In 1998 he severed all ties with the Labour Party reportedly due to his disagreement with the party executive's decision to call an early election which was deemed necessary due to the parliamentary crisis at the time unfolding. In 2000 he fell out of favor with the General Workers' Union's administration and officially severed all ties with the organization.
Since 2000 he shifted focus to his private legal practice, acting as legal consultant to various government entities, including the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) and the Malta European Union Steering Action Committee (MEUSAC). This, and his persistent public criticism of the Union, led media to speculate about a new found affinity with the Nationalist administration, particularly with Prime Minister Edward Fenech Adami and Cabinet Minister Austin Gatt
. These speculations proved to be very influential in the 2008 Labour leadership contest. He also acted as legal consultant to four newly set-up unions, including the Malta Dockers' Union.
He contested the election for new Leader of the Labour Party following Alfred Sant's resignation in 2008, together with Evarist Bartolo
, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca
, Joseph Muscat
and Michael Falzon
. The leadership contest was decided by means of a runoff between Abela and Muscat which took place on the 6 June 2008. Abela placed second with 291 votes (33.64%), trailing Joseph Muscat who obtained 574 votes (66.36%). Newly-elected Joseph Muscat immediately invited him to participate in party affairs under the new leadership, and Abela was appointed as the representative of the Labour Party on the Malta-EU Steering Action Committee (MEUSEC).
announced that the Government was proposing George Abela as the next President of Malta
. He was to succeed Eddie Fenech Adami
, whose five-year term as President of Malta expired on 4 April 2009. This was the first time in Maltese history that the government nominated a President from the opposition. Abela resigned from MEUSAC and the Labour Party, paving the way for the succession. On 1 April 2009, the House of Representatives approved George Abela as the 8th President of the Republic. The motion was moved by Prime Minister Gonzi and seconded by Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat. On 4 April 2009 at noon, George Abela was sworn in as President of Malta by Speaker Louis Galea
.
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
politician who has been President of Malta
President of Malta
The President of Malta is the constitutional head of state of Malta.The President is appointed by a resolution of the House of Representatives of Malta for a five year term, taking an oath to "preserve, protect and defend" the Constitution....
since April 2009.
Early life
Abela was born in QormiQormi
Qormi is a city in Malta with a population of 18,550 , which makes it the second largest locality in Malta...
, Malta, to George and Ludgarda née Debono. He attended the local primary school in Qormi, and the Lyceum in Hamrun
Hamrun
Ħamrun is a town in the Inner Harbour Region of Malta, with a population of 8,800 people .The villagers are traditionally known as Tas-Sikkina or as Ta' Werwer...
. In 1965 he enrolled in the University of Malta
University of Malta
The University of Malta is the highest educational institution in Malta Europe and is one of the most respected universities in Europe. The University offers undergraduate Bachelor's Degrees, postgraduate Master's Degrees and postgraduate Doctorates .-History:The University of Malta was founded in...
, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree. He continued his studies as a teacher for a short while and became a notary public
Notary public
A notary public in the common law world is a public officer constituted by law to serve the public in non-contentious matters usually concerned with estates, deeds, powers-of-attorney, and foreign and international business...
, and in 1975 he graduated as a lawyer. He was immediately hired by the General Workers Union
General Workers' Union (Malta)
The General Workers' Union is a national trade union center in Malta.The GWU was founded in 1943 and has been politically identified with the Labour Party as the trade union is the major left-wing trade union in Malta...
as a legal consultant and worked within the Union for 25 years thereby obtaining considerable experience in employment law.
Malta Football Association
In 1982, after serving as Qormi FCQormi FC
Qormi Football Club are a Maltese football club from the city of Qormi, which currently plays in the Maltese Premier League.-History:Qormi Football Club was founded in 1961 after the amalgamation of Qormi Youngsters and Qormi United, which is from where the club acquired its motto Fl-Għaqda s-Saħħa,...
president, he was elected as the chairman of the Malta Football Association
Malta Football Association
The Malta Football Association is the governing body of football in Malta.It organises the Maltese Football League and several other competitions, including the knockout competition for the top teams, called the FA Trophy...
. He brought changes within the MFA, and improved the infrastructure, where training grounds, a gymnasium, and a physiotherapy clinic were built, and artificial lighting was installed. The players of the Malta national football team
Malta national football team
The Malta national football team is the national football team of Malta and is controlled by the Malta Football Association. Malta played its first international game in February 1957, and began competing for qualification to major tournaments in 1962. The side's first competitive victory came in...
were engaged for the first time in training on a professional basis.
Labour Party
After ten years, in 1992, he left the post and took up the role of Deputy Leader responsible for Party Affairs within the Labour Party. Following the party's electoral win in 1996, he was appointed as a Legal Consultant to the Prime Minister, Alfred SantAlfred Sant
Alfred Sant is a Maltese politician. He led the Labour Party from 1992 to 2008 and served as Prime Minister of Malta between 1996 and 1998 and as Leader of the Opposition from 1992 to 1996 and from 1998 to 2008....
, and therefore attended cabinet meetings. He resigned from this post in 1997 following disagreement with Prime Minister Alfred Sant. In 1998 he severed all ties with the Labour Party reportedly due to his disagreement with the party executive's decision to call an early election which was deemed necessary due to the parliamentary crisis at the time unfolding. In 2000 he fell out of favor with the General Workers' Union's administration and officially severed all ties with the organization.
Since 2000 he shifted focus to his private legal practice, acting as legal consultant to various government entities, including the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) and the Malta European Union Steering Action Committee (MEUSAC). This, and his persistent public criticism of the Union, led media to speculate about a new found affinity with the Nationalist administration, particularly with Prime Minister Edward Fenech Adami and Cabinet Minister Austin Gatt
Austin Gatt
Agostino Pio Gatt is a Maltese politician, currently serving as Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications.-Early life:...
. These speculations proved to be very influential in the 2008 Labour leadership contest. He also acted as legal consultant to four newly set-up unions, including the Malta Dockers' Union.
He contested the election for new Leader of the Labour Party following Alfred Sant's resignation in 2008, together with Evarist Bartolo
Evarist Bartolo
Evarist Bartolo is a Maltese politician within the Malta Labour Party. Bartolo was born on 14 October 1952 in Mellieha. He has been a member of the Maltese Parliament since 1992...
, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca
Marie Louise Coleiro Preca
Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, born in 1958 at Qormi, Malta, is a Maltese politician and an MP with the Malta Labour Party.-Education:She studied at the University of Malta where she graduated BA in Legal and Humanistic Studies and Diploma Notary Public...
, Joseph Muscat
Joseph Muscat
Joseph Muscat is a Maltese politician who has been leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives of Malta since 2008.- Education :...
and Michael Falzon
Michael Falzon
Michael Falzon is a Member of the Maltese Parliament of the Malta Labour Party . He stood as a candidate for the second and tenth electoral divisions of Malta for the PL...
. The leadership contest was decided by means of a runoff between Abela and Muscat which took place on the 6 June 2008. Abela placed second with 291 votes (33.64%), trailing Joseph Muscat who obtained 574 votes (66.36%). Newly-elected Joseph Muscat immediately invited him to participate in party affairs under the new leadership, and Abela was appointed as the representative of the Labour Party on the Malta-EU Steering Action Committee (MEUSEC).
Presidency
On 12 January 2009, Prime Minister Lawrence GonziLawrence Gonzi
Lawrence Gonzi is a Maltese politician who has been Prime Minister of Malta since 2004. He was Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta from 1988 to 1996, Minister of Social Policy from 1998 to 1999, and Deputy Prime Minister from 1999 to 2004...
announced that the Government was proposing George Abela as the next President of Malta
President of Malta
The President of Malta is the constitutional head of state of Malta.The President is appointed by a resolution of the House of Representatives of Malta for a five year term, taking an oath to "preserve, protect and defend" the Constitution....
. He was to succeed Eddie Fenech Adami
Eddie Fenech Adami
Edward “Eddie” Fenech Adami is a Maltese politician who was Prime Minister of Malta from 1987 until 1996 and again from 1998 until 2004...
, whose five-year term as President of Malta expired on 4 April 2009. This was the first time in Maltese history that the government nominated a President from the opposition. Abela resigned from MEUSAC and the Labour Party, paving the way for the succession. On 1 April 2009, the House of Representatives approved George Abela as the 8th President of the Republic. The motion was moved by Prime Minister Gonzi and seconded by Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat. On 4 April 2009 at noon, George Abela was sworn in as President of Malta by Speaker Louis Galea
Louis Galea
Louis Galea is a Maltese politician who has been Malta's representative on the European Court of Auditors since 2010. Previously he served in the government of Malta as Minister of Education from 1998 to 2008 and was Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta from 2008 to 2010.-Education:As a...
.