Lawrence Gonzi

Lawrence Gonzi KUOM
Gonzi in 2011
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
Deputy Prime Minister of Malta
In office 29 March 1999 – 23 March 2004
Prime Minister	Edward Fenech Adami
Preceded by	Guido de Marco
Succeeded by	Tonio Borg
Minister for Finance
In office 23 March 2004 – 10 March 2008
Prime Minister	Himself
Preceded by	John Dalli
Succeeded by	Tonio Borg
Minister for Social Policy
In office 6 September 1998 – 23 March 2004
Prime Minister	Edward Fenech Adami
Preceded by	Edwin Grech
Succeeded by	Dolores Cristina
Speaker of the House of Representatives
In office October 1988 – September 1996
Preceded by	Jimmy Farrugia [de]
Succeeded by	Myriam Spiteri Debono
Personal details
Born	(1953-07-01) 1 July 1953 (age 71) Valletta, British Malta
Political party	Nationalist
Spouse	Catherine Gonzi née Callus[1]
Children	3
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Lawrence Gonzi KUOM (born 1 July 1953) is a Maltese politician,^[2] retired Nationalist politician and lawyer, who served for twenty-five years in various critical roles in Maltese politics.^[3] 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.^[4] He served in practically all positions in Parliament, being also Leader of the House, an MP and Leader of the Opposition.^[5]

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.^[3] 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.

Gonzi stressed the need to ensure sustainable development and environmental stewardship on the islands, also focusing on strengthening the education and healthcare sectors. In international diplomacy, Gonzi was lauded for his role in the Libyan Revolution, breaking Malta's long relationship with the Gaddafi regime, and siding with the rebels. Additionally, his humanitarian response to the migratory pressures enfolding around Malta led to the first voluntary European migrant burden sharing pact.^[6] He was also highly regarded by EU leaders who worked by his side during his nine years as prime minister.^[2][7]