Lawrence Gonzi
Encyclopedia
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. As Prime Minister, he has also been leader of the Nationalist Party
since 2004.
in 1988 and, in 1992, he was reappointed to the post with a unanimous
vote. Gonzi contested the general elections again in 1996 and this time he was successful. As an opposition MP
he served as Shadow Minister for social policy
, secretary of the Nationalist parliamentary group, party whip and later general secretary of the party.
In 1998 he was returned and appointed Minister for Social Policy. In May 1999 he successfully contested the post of Deputy Leader
of the party and was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the House. Following another Nationalist victory at the polls in 2003, Lawrence Gonzi was reconfirmed as Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the House.
as party leader, Gonzi won the leadership contest held in March 2004. He was appointed Prime Minister shortly after Fenech Adami stepped down to give way for his succession. From 2004 onwards, Gonzi took under his responsibility the finance portfolio as Minister of Finance. As Minister of Finance, he successfully managed the process to achieve the Maastricht criteria, propelling Malta into the Eurozone
.
Following the general election
held on 8 March 2008, Gonzi was reconfirmed as Prime Minister. He relinquished his post as Minister of Finance but assumed responsibility for the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA), in particular its reform. He was reelected Nationalist Party leader at the general council meeting on 4 May 2008.
, former Archbishop of Malta. His younger brother is Michael Gonzi
, a Nationalist
backbencher.
Gonzi is married to Catherine née Callus, and they have three children: David, Mikela, Paul.
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 Prime Minister of Malta
Prime Minister of Malta
The Prime Minister of Malta is the Head of Government of Malta.-Establishment of the office and developments:The office of "Head of Ministry" was created as soon as Malta was granted autonomous government in 1921. The 1921 constitution was suspended twice before being revoked...
since 2004. He was Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta
Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta
The Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta is the collective representative of the House of Representatives of Malta. The Speaker is responsible for controlling the flow of House business and acts as "referee" during debates...
from 1988 to 1996, Minister of Social Policy from 1998 to 1999, and Deputy Prime Minister from 1999 to 2004. As Prime Minister, he has also been leader of the Nationalist Party
Nationalist Party (Malta)
The Nationalist Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in Malta, along with the Labour Party. It was founded by Fortunato Mizzi in 1880 as the Anti-Reform Party, opposing taxation decreed by the British colonial authorities and measures to Anglicise the educational and the...
since 2004.
Speaker and Member of Parliament
In 1987 Lawrence Gonzi contested the general elections unsuccessfully with the Nationalist Party. He was appointed Speaker of the HouseSpeaker of the House of Representatives of Malta
The Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta is the collective representative of the House of Representatives of Malta. The Speaker is responsible for controlling the flow of House business and acts as "referee" during debates...
in 1988 and, in 1992, he was reappointed to the post with a unanimous
Unanimity
Unanimity is agreement by all people in a given situation. When unanimous, everybody is of the same mind and acting together as one. Though unlike uniformity, it does not constitute absolute agreement. Many groups consider unanimous decisions a sign of agreement, solidarity, and unity...
vote. Gonzi contested the general elections again in 1996 and this time he was successful. As an opposition MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
he served as Shadow Minister for social policy
Social policy
Social policy primarily refers to guidelines, principles, legislation and activities that affect the living conditions conducive to human welfare. Thus, social policy is that part of public policy that has to do with social issues...
, secretary of the Nationalist parliamentary group, party whip and later general secretary of the party.
In 1998 he was returned and appointed Minister for Social Policy. In May 1999 he successfully contested the post of Deputy Leader
Deputy Leader
A deputy leader in the Westminster system is the second-in-command of a political party, behind the party leader. Deputy leaders often become deputy prime minister when their parties are elected to government. In opposition, deputy leaders often lead Question Time sessions when the party leader is...
of the party and was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the House. Following another Nationalist victory at the polls in 2003, Lawrence Gonzi was reconfirmed as Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the House.
Prime Minister
Following the resignation of Eddie Fenech AdamiEddie 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...
as party leader, Gonzi won the leadership contest held in March 2004. He was appointed Prime Minister shortly after Fenech Adami stepped down to give way for his succession. From 2004 onwards, Gonzi took under his responsibility the finance portfolio as Minister of Finance. As Minister of Finance, he successfully managed the process to achieve the Maastricht criteria, propelling Malta into the Eurozone
Eurozone
The eurozone , officially called the euro area, is an economic and monetary union of seventeen European Union member states that have adopted the euro as their common currency and sole legal tender...
.
Following the general election
Maltese general election, 2008
The latest Maltese general election for the renewal of the House of Representatives of Malta was held on March 8, 2008. The incumbent ruling party the Christian democratic Nationalist Party, led by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, narrowly won over the social democratic Malta Labour Party led by...
held on 8 March 2008, Gonzi was reconfirmed as Prime Minister. He relinquished his post as Minister of Finance but assumed responsibility for the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA), in particular its reform. He was reelected Nationalist Party leader at the general council meeting on 4 May 2008.
Family
Lawrence Gonzi is the son of Luigi Gonzi and Ines Galea and grandnephew of Mons. Mikiel GonziMikiel Gonzi
Monsignor Sir Michael Gonzi, KBE, DD was Roman Catholic Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Malta...
, former Archbishop of Malta. His younger brother is Michael Gonzi
Michael Gonzi
Michael Gonzi is a Maltese medical doctor and politician.-Political role:He was elected to the House of Representatives of Malta in the Maltese general election, 2008 representing the 12th district...
, a Nationalist
Nationalist Party (Malta)
The Nationalist Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in Malta, along with the Labour Party. It was founded by Fortunato Mizzi in 1880 as the Anti-Reform Party, opposing taxation decreed by the British colonial authorities and measures to Anglicise the educational and the...
backbencher.
Gonzi is married to Catherine née Callus, and they have three children: David, Mikela, Paul.
See also
- Politics of MaltaPolitics of MaltaThe 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...
- Prime Minister of MaltaPrime Minister of MaltaThe Prime Minister of Malta is the Head of Government of Malta.-Establishment of the office and developments:The office of "Head of Ministry" was created as soon as Malta was granted autonomous government in 1921. The 1921 constitution was suspended twice before being revoked...
- List of Prime Ministers of Malta