George Abela

George Abela, (born 22 April 1948) is a Maltese politician who was the eighth president of Malta from April 2009 to April 2014.

Early life Abela was born in Qormi, Malta, to George (1925 – 5 September 2010) and Ludgarda (née Debono) Abela (19 February 1930 – 11 February 2023). He attended the local primary school in Qormi and later pursued his secondary education at a 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. following Alfred Sant's resignation in 2008, together with Evarist Bartolo, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, Joseph Muscat and Michael Falzon. The leadership contest was decided by means of a runoff between Abela and Muscat which took place on 6 June 2008. Abela placed second with 291 votes (33.64%), trailing Joseph Muscat who obtained 574 votes (66.36%). Newly elected Joseph Muscat immediately invited him to participate in party affairs under the new leadership, and Abela was appointed as the representative of the Labour Party on the Malta-EU Steering Action Committee (MEUSEC). This was the first time in Maltese history that the government nominated a President from the opposition. Abela resigned from MEUSAC and the Labour Party, paving the way for the succession. On 1 April 2009, the House of Representatives approved George Abela as the 8th President of the Republic. The motion was moved by Prime Minister Gonzi and seconded by Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat. On 4 April 2009 at noon, George Abela was sworn in as President of Malta by Speaker Louis Galea.

On the morning of New Year's Day the President and his wife Margaret greeted Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and fellow Ministers within the President's Palace in Valletta.

Personal life George Abela is married to Margaret (née Cauchi) since 24 May 1976. They have two children, Robert (born 7 December 1977) and Marija (born 1983). The Abelas were discharged from hospital around a week later.

Honours

National honours Companion of Honour of the National Order of Merit by right as a President of Malta

Foreign honours Grand Cross of the Order of Vytautas the Great (17/05/2012) Sash of the Order of the Star of Romania (2010) Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (20/11/2009)