Dr George Abela was elected President of the Republic of Malta on this day in 2009, following a Parliamentary resolution that unanimously approved his nomination.
His election marked a historic moment in Malta’s constitutional history, as it was the first time in 34 years that both major political parties in Parliament gave unanimous approval for a presidential nominee. It was also the first occasion where the government nominated a President from a different political leaning.
Born in Qormi on 22nd April 1948, Dr Abela is the son of a registered port worker. He was educated at the Lyceum and the University of Malta, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English, Maltese, and History, followed by a Law Degree.
He later obtained a Magister Iuris in European Law in 1995 and holds a diploma enabling him to practise as a lawyer before Ecclesiastical Tribunals in marriage annulment cases.
Dr Abela had a distinguished legal career spanning 33 years, specialising in Civil, Commercial and Industrial Law. For twenty-five years, he served as legal consultant to the General Workers’ Union, representing workers across four trade unions in major negotiations, including the Air Malta rescue plan in 2002.
He also represented port workers in the 2007 port reform, praised by the European Commission as a model of social dialogue, and advised the Medical Association of Malta along with other professional unions.
Beyond law, Dr Abela played a major role in Maltese sports administration, particularly football. He began as treasurer and later President of his village club, Qormi FC, and in 1982 became President of the Malta Football Association- a role he held for ten years.
His tenure saw major administrative and technical reforms: the National Stadium Ta’ Qali turf was resurfaced and fully managed by the association; new training grounds with turf pitches and floodlights were installed; a physiotherapy clinic and gym were opened; foreign coaches were hired to develop national teams; and players were engaged professionally full-time.
Football nurseries were launched nationwide, and Dr Abela represented Malta in numerous UEFA committees and served as an arbitrator in the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.
He was also involved in the Kerygma Movement, chairing the “Campaign – Solidarity Through Sports,” supporting philanthropic institutions.
In 1992, after a decade in football leadership, Dr Abela was elected Deputy Leader of the Malta Labour Party, responsible for party affairs. Following the party’s victory in the 1996 general election, he became legal consultant to the Prime Minister and attended cabinet meetings.
Dr Abela also held key roles in finance and governance, serving as Director of the Central Bank of Malta, Executive Director at Bank of Valletta p.l.c., and as a member of the Electoral Commission overseeing the 1987 general elections. He actively participated in MEUSAC, contributing to Malta’s EU pre-accession negotiations and continuing as Labour Party representative post-membership.
Dr George Abela is married to Margaret née Cauchi, and together they have two children, Robert (the current Prime Minister of Malta) and Maria.