Joseph Cuschieri
Encyclopedia
Joseph Cuschieri is a Maltese politician
who has been a Member of the European Parliament
since 2009. Previously he served in the House of Representatives of Malta
from 1998 to 2008. He was born in a working class family and joined the Labour Party at a very early age.
. Before becoming a politician, he worked in the textile industry, at the dockyards, as a journalist and broadcaster, and in the tourism industry. He was a founder of Super One Radio (now One Radio
), where he worked as a journalist.
.
In 1994 he was nominated first Deputy Mayor of St. Julian's
, after polling the largest number of votes among independent candidates. In the second local council elections in 1996 he was re-elected with the largest numbers of votes among all candidates.
From 1998 to 2003 he served, alongside Charles Mangion
, as spokesperson for Local Councils. From 2003 to 2008 he served with Karmenu Vella and Evarist Bartolo
as spokesperson for tourism, Air Malta
, and hotels. He was also appointed Speaker for the Infrastructure and Capital Projects, together with Charles Buhagiar.
During his ten-year parliamentary career Cuschieri served on delegations to the United Kingdom, Isle of Man
, Tunisia, Australia, South Korea, Germany, Palestine, Israel and Jordan, among others.
, who at that time was not a member of Parliament.
Muscat thanked Cuschieri for "his extraordinary and generous decision", and Charles Mangion
, former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party for Parliamentary Affairs, described Cuschieri as a hard worker and remarkably altruistic, calling his resignation historically and politically important for the country.
Following the resignation of his seat, Cuschieri was elected unanimously to the National Executive of the Labour Party.
once it is allocated to Malta in terms of the Lisbon Treaty. He will be given observer status in January.
Politics of Malta
The politics of Malta takes place within a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Malta is the constitutional head of state. Executive Authority is vested in the President of Malta with the general direction and control of the Government of Malta...
who has been a Member of the European Parliament
Member of the European Parliament
A Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
since 2009. Previously he served in the House of Representatives of Malta
House of Representatives of Malta
The House of Representatives is the unicameral legislature of Malta and a component of the Parliament of Malta.The House is composed of an odd number of members elected for a five year term...
from 1998 to 2008. He was born in a working class family and joined the Labour Party at a very early age.
Background
Cuschieri was born in AttardAttard
Ħ'Attard is a village located at the centre-most point of the island of Malta. Together with Balzan and Lija it forms part of "the Three Villages" and has been inhabited since the Classical Period. Ħ'Attard's traditional Latin motto is Florigera rosis halo due to its many flower gardens and citrus...
. Before becoming a politician, he worked in the textile industry, at the dockyards, as a journalist and broadcaster, and in the tourism industry. He was a founder of Super One Radio (now One Radio
One Radio
One Radio is a radio station in Malta owned by the Labour Party. Broadcasts commenced in August 1991...
), where he worked as a journalist.
Political career
Cuschieri became active in the Labour Party at 13 when he joined the Socialist Youth League in SliemaSliema
Tas-Sliema is a city located on the northeast coast of Malta. It is a centre for shopping, restaurants and café life. Tas-Sliema is also a major commercial and residential area and houses several of Malta's most modern hotels. Tas-Sliema, which means 'peace, comfort', was once a quiet fishing...
.
In 1994 he was nominated first Deputy Mayor of St. Julian's
St. Julian's
St Julian's is a town in Malta situated along the coast, north of the country's capital, Valletta. It is known for tourism-oriented businesses, such as hotels, restaurants and nightclubs, centred mostly in an area known as Paceville.-General:...
, after polling the largest number of votes among independent candidates. In the second local council elections in 1996 he was re-elected with the largest numbers of votes among all candidates.
Election as an MP
Cuschieri was elected as an MP for three consecutive terms commencing 1998. He garnered a greater share of the vote in 2003 and then in 2008.From 1998 to 2003 he served, alongside Charles Mangion
Charles Mangion
Charles Mangion is a Maltese politician. A Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives of Malta since 1987, he served in the government as Minister of Justice and Local Government from 1996 to 1998. He was briefly Leader of the Opposition in 2008.- Personal life and family :Mangion was...
, as spokesperson for Local Councils. From 2003 to 2008 he served with Karmenu Vella and 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...
as spokesperson for tourism, Air Malta
Air Malta
Air Malta plc is the national airline of Malta, headquartered in Luqa. It operates services to 36 destinations in Europe, Middle East and North Africa. The airline's hub and base is at Malta International Airport.- History :...
, and hotels. He was also appointed Speaker for the Infrastructure and Capital Projects, together with Charles Buhagiar.
During his ten-year parliamentary career Cuschieri served on delegations to the United Kingdom, Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
, Tunisia, Australia, South Korea, Germany, Palestine, Israel and Jordan, among others.
Resignation from the House of Representatives
In September 2008 Cuschieri ceded his parliamentary seat to newly-elected Labour leader Dr Joseph MuscatJoseph 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 :...
, who at that time was not a member of Parliament.
Muscat thanked Cuschieri for "his extraordinary and generous decision", and Charles Mangion
Charles Mangion
Charles Mangion is a Maltese politician. A Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives of Malta since 1987, he served in the government as Minister of Justice and Local Government from 1996 to 1998. He was briefly Leader of the Opposition in 2008.- Personal life and family :Mangion was...
, former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party for Parliamentary Affairs, described Cuschieri as a hard worker and remarkably altruistic, calling his resignation historically and politically important for the country.
Following the resignation of his seat, Cuschieri was elected unanimously to the National Executive of the Labour Party.
Joseph Cuschieri for MEP
Cuschieri will take up Malta's sixth seat in the European Parliamentary electionsEuropean Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
once it is allocated to Malta in terms of the Lisbon Treaty. He will be given observer status in January.