Lawrence Gonzi
| Lawrence Gonzi | |
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| 12th Prime Minister of Malta | |
|
In office 23 March 2004 – 11 March 2013 |
|
| President |
Guido de Marco Edward Fenech Adami George Abela |
| Deputy |
Tonio Borg Simon Busuttil |
| Preceded by | Edward Fenech Adami |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Muscat |
| 4th Chairperson-in-office of the Commonwealth of Nations | |
|
In office 25 November 2005 – 23 November 2007 |
|
| Head | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Olusegun Obasanjo |
| Succeeded by | Yoweri Museveni |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
1 July 1953 Valletta, British Malta |
| Political party | Nationalist |
| Spouse(s) | Catherine Gonzi née Callus |
| Children | 3 |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
| Signature |  |
Lawrence Gonzi, KUOM, (born July 1, 1953) is a Maltese statesman, retired Nationalist politician and lawyer, who served for twenty-five years in various critical roles in Maltese politics. Gonzi was Prime Minister of Malta from 2004 to 2013, and leader of the Nationalist Party. He also served as speaker of the House from 1988 to 1996, and Minister of Social Policy from 1998 to 2004, as well as Deputy Prime Minister from 1999 to 2004. He served in practically all positions in Parliament, being also Leader of the House, an MP and Leader of the Opposition.
Taking over as Prime Minister from Eddie Fenech Adami, Lawrence Gonzi led the islands through the delicate first years of EU membership. He piloted crucial economic and political reforms, spearheaded Malta's adoption of the euro, and the entry into force of the Schengen agreement. Gonzi is viewed chiefly responsible for Malta’s swift progress in the EU. His decision to privatise the Malta shipyards, and the pensions reform, proved to be unpopular. Following a razor-thin electoral victory in 2008, perceptions of arrogance in his cabinet, fomented by the Labour Party opposition and rebel backbenchers, dented his second term of office. Following the loss of a financial vote, his government lost supply in December 2012. The Nationalist party went on to lose the successive general election, leading to Gonzi's resignation and eventual retirement from politics.
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