46 Facts About Lawrence Gonzi

Lawrence Gonzi 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.

Lawrence Gonzi served in practically all positions in Parliament, being Leader of the House, an MP and Leader of the Opposition.

Lawrence Gonzi piloted crucial economic and political reforms, spearheaded Malta's adoption of the euro, and the entry into force of the Schengen agreement.

Lawrence Gonzi stressed the need to ensure sustainable development and environmental stewardship on the islands, focusing on strengthening the education and healthcare sectors.

In international diplomacy, Lawrence Gonzi was lauded for his role in the Libyan Revolution, breaking Malta's long relationship with the Gaddafi regime, and siding with the rebels.

Lawrence Gonzi was highly regarded by EU leaders who worked by his side during his nine years as prime minister.

Lawrence Gonzi was born on 1 July 1953, in Valletta, British Malta, the son of Luigi Gonzi and Ines Gonzi.

Lawrence Gonzi is the grandnephew of Mikiel Gonzi, Archbishop of Malta from 1944 until 1976.

Lawrence Gonzi's younger brother, Michael Gonzi, is a Nationalist backbencher.

Lawrence Gonzi spent his childhood years in the youth section of the local Catholic Action organisation, the Circolo Gioventu Cattolica.

Lawrence Gonzi began his education at the Archbishop's Seminary in Floriana, continuing his studies there until sitting for his matriculation exams.

Lawrence Gonzi attended the University of Malta, studying law and graduating as a lawyer in 1975.

Lawrence Gonzi is very active in the voluntary sector, particularly in areas relating to disability and mental health issues.

Lawrence Gonzi was the first chairman of the Kummissjoni Nazzjonali Persuni b' Dizabilita, a national commission for persons with disability.

Lawrence Gonzi is married to Catherine "Kate" Gonzi, nee Callus.

Lawrence Gonzi introduced new procedures with regards to the timing of debates between the two sides of the House.

Lawrence Gonzi contested the October 1996 general elections and was elected to Parliament on 29 October 1996.

Lawrence Gonzi served as deputy prime minister from May 1999 to March 2004.

Lawrence Gonzi's negotiating skills and business acumen helped in restructuring the local economy.

Lawrence Gonzi drafted and piloted a new act of parliament, the Employment and Industrial Relations Act.

Lawrence Gonzi was instrumental in setting up the framework for the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development, enabling social partners to make recommendations on social and economic matters.

Lawrence Gonzi was re-elected in the 2003 election, and appointed as deputy prime minister and Minister for Social Policy on 15 April 2003.

Lawrence Gonzi obtained 508 party delegate votes, Dalli polled 219 votes and Galea received 133.

Lawrence Gonzi was elected leader, obtaining 808 of the 859 votes cast, securing 94.1 per cent of the vote.

Lawrence Gonzi was appointed prime minister and Minister of Finance on 23 March 2004.

Malta joined the European Union on 1 May 2004, and as prime minister, Lawrence Gonzi attended the EU enlargement official ceremony which took place in Dublin, Ireland, where the Maltese flag was hoisted for the first time alongside those of the other member states.

Lawrence Gonzi embarked upon a drive to improve the management of public finances, focused sharply upon improving Malta's competitiveness in the international market and accelerated the restructuring process of the public sector.

Lawrence Gonzi stressed the importance to attract high-value added sectors of the economy, particularly information technology, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

The first priority of Lawrence Gonzi's government was to move the country forward, reforming different sectors of the economy such as the restructuring of Air Malta, the Malta shipyards, the Gozo Channel shipping line, public transport and others.

Lawrence Gonzi was re-elected Prime Minister on 8 March 2008, in a deeply contested general election; he was the first prime minister in the euro area to be re-elected after introducing the euro.

Lawrence Gonzi relinquished his post as Minister of Finance in favour of Tonio Fenech, but assumed responsibility for the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, in particular its reform.

Lawrence Gonzi's cabinet initiated various projects, such as SmartCity Malta and an architectural showcase project by Renzo Piano in Valletta.

Lawrence Gonzi's government provided financial aid and support to local industries, allowing investment to continue unimpeded and keeping unemployment low in the country.

Lawrence Gonzi provided humanitarian and medical assistance to Libya, granted asylum to two Libyan Air Force pilots who defected after being ordered to bomb protesters in Benghazi.

Lawrence Gonzi refused to return the pilots' jets to the Gaddafi regime, allowing NATO jets to implement a UN-sanctioned no-fly zone to land in Malta whenever necessary, exchanging intelligence on the Libyan conflict with NATO.

Lawrence Gonzi offered valuable support to other European nations, negotiating the release of two Dutch pilots held captive by Gaddafi's forces.

Lawrence Gonzi made it clear, back in March 2011, that Gaddafi's exit from Libya was "inevitable", a message he reiterated in early April.

Lawrence Gonzi told the visiting Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister, Abdul-Ati al-Obeidi, that Gaddafi and his family "must go", and the Libyan people's wish for democracy should be respected.

The weak, one seat majority of the second Lawrence Gonzi administration was open to internal divisions and backbencher rebellions.

In early 2012, Lawrence Gonzi lost his majority when Pullicino Orlando declared himself to be an independent MP.

However, Lawrence Gonzi managed to keep his party in government right until a budget vote on 10 December 2012, when Franco Debono joined the Labour party Opposition, and voted against the budget.

Lawrence Gonzi shouldered "total and complete responsibility" for the electoral defeat, later admitting that mistakes were made "in attitude, arrogance" by his second cabinet.

Lawrence Gonzi's detractors criticised his lack of resolve in confronting the three dissident backbenchers, Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, Franco Debono and Jesmond Mugliett.

Lawrence Gonzi became Leader of the Opposition on 20 March 2013, resigning from this post on 13 May 2013.

Lawrence Gonzi resigned from parliament on 17 July 2013, saying that his seat ought be occupied by someone "who can give the electorate all his energy".

Lawrence Gonzi led the Commonwealth Observer Group for the 2013 Maldivian presidential election.