George Vella

George William Vella, KUOM KCMG (born 24 April 1942) is a Maltese politician and the 10th and current President of Malta.[1] He was Malta's Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1996 to 1998, under Prime Minister Alfred Sant,[2][3] and under Prime Minister Joseph Muscat from 2013 to 2017. He was inaugurated as the 10th President of Malta on 4 April 2019.[1]

His Excellency

George Vella

KUOM KCMG
10th President of Malta
Assumed office
4 April 2019
Prime MinisterJoseph Muscat
Robert Abela
Preceded byMarie-Louise Coleiro Preca
Minister for Foreign Affairs
In office
13 March 2013 – 9 June 2017
Prime MinisterJoseph Muscat
Preceded byFrancis Zammit Dimech
Succeeded byCarmelo Abela
In office
28 October 1996 – 6 September 1998
Prime MinisterAlfred Sant
Preceded byGuido de Marco
Succeeded byGuido de Marco
Deputy Prime Minister of Malta
In office
28 October 1996 – 6 September 1998
Prime MinisterAlfred Sant
Preceded byGuido de Marco
Succeeded byGuido de Marco
Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
In office
26 March 1992 – 23 May 2003
LeaderAlfred Sant
Preceded byJoseph Brincat
Succeeded byCharles Mangion
Personal details
Born (1942-04-24) 24 April 1942
Żejtun, Crown Colony of Malta
Political partyLabour Party
Spouse(s)Miriam Grima
Children3
Alma materUniversity of Malta

Early life and family

Vella was born in Żejtun in 1942. He is married to Miriam (née Grima). He has two daughters and a son, along with seven grandchildren.[2][3]

Vella qualified as a medical doctor in 1964, obtained a Certificate in Aviation Medicine from Farnborough (UK), and was a specialist in family medicine.[4]

Career

Labour Party

Vella joined the Labour Party (PL) and started his parliamentary career in 1976. He was then elected member of parliament in January 1978, and during the 1981, 1992, 1996, 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2013 general elections. As a Member of Parliament, he represents the 3rd and 5th Districts.[2][3]

Serving abroad

In 1978, Vella was a substitute member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and rapporteur on maritime pollution from maritime sources at the Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE). From January to May 1987, he served as Malta's permanent representative at the Council of Europe.[2]

Deputy leader

In 1992, Vella was elected as the Labour Party deputy leader for parliamentary affairs and spokesperson on foreign affairs. He served as vice chairman on the Joint EU/Malta Parliamentary Committee.[2][3]

From 1995 to 1996, Vella was a member of the House Business Committee and the Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Committee.[2]

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
The office of Vella while serving as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs

He was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Environment in October 1996[3] and again in March 2013, serving to June 2017.[2]

Vella has voiced his support for the Campaign for the Establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly, an organisation which campaigns for democratic reformation of the United Nations, and the creation of a more accountable international political system.[5]

President of Malta

Vella was nominated for the position of the President of Malta by the governing Labour Party at the time. His nomination was supported by both the government and opposition Nationalist Party.[6] The Democratic Party announced their support for Vella's nomination, but would boycott the vote to protest in favour of a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds majority to elect the president.[7]. The vote in parliament took place on 2 April 2019, with the Members of Parliament voting to approve Vella's appointment as the only nominee.[8]

The appointment was followed by Vella's formal swearing-in as president on 4 April 2019.[9]

Honours

National honours

Foreign honours
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See also

References
  1. Scicluna, Luke (2 April 2019). "George Vella approved as Malta's next President". Times of Malta. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-02-06. Retrieved 2015-03-02.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. "Minister of Foreign Affairs - Maltese Consulate".
  4. "George Vella Biography". www.gov.mt.
  5. "Supporters". Campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly. Retrieved 2017-09-21.
  6. Amaira, Ruth (7 March 2019). "PN Parliamentary Group to vote in favor of nomination of George Vella for President". TVM News. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  7. "PD to boycott parliamentary debate on presidential nomination". Times of Malta. 2 April 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  8. "MPs to vote on George Vella for president on April 2". Times of Malta. 13 March 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  9. Scicluna, Christopher (4 April 2019). "President Vella delivers unifying address after swearing-in". Times of Malta. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
Party political offices
Preceded by
Joseph Brincat		 Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
1992–2003		 Succeeded by
Charles Mangion
Political offices
Preceded by
Guido de Marco		 Deputy Prime Minister of Malta
1996–1998		 Succeeded by
Guido de Marco
Preceded by
Guido de Marco		 Minister of Foreign Affairs
1996–1998		 Succeeded by
Guido de Marco
Preceded by
???		 Minister for the Environment
1996–1998		 Succeeded by
Francis Zammit Dimech
Preceded by
Francis Zammit Dimech		 Minister of Foreign Affairs
2013–2017		 Succeeded by
Carmelo Abela
Preceded by
Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca		 President of Malta
2019–present		 Incumbent
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