George Abela
| George Abela | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 8th President of Malta | |
|
In office 4 April 2009 – 4 April 2014 |
|
| Prime Minister |
Lawrence Gonzi Joseph Muscat |
| Preceded by | Eddie Fenech Adami |
| Succeeded by | Marie Louise Coleiro Preca |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
22 April 1948 Qormi, Malta |
| Political party | Labour Party |
| Spouse(s) | Margaret Cauchi (1976–present) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Malta |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
George Abela (born 22 April 1948) is a Maltese politician who was President of Malta from April 2009 to April 2014.
Abela was born in Qormi, Malta, to George and Ludgarda (née Debono) Abela. 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.
In 1982, after serving as Qormi FC 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.
George Abela is married to Margaret (né Cauchi). Together they have two children called Maria and Robert.
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 Sant, 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.
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