Lawrence Gonzi

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<tr> <td colspan="2" style="text-align: center;">Image:Gonzi.jpg
</td> </tr><tr style="text-align: center;"> <th colspan="2">Prime Minister of Malta</th> </tr><tr> <th style="border-bottom: none; text-align: center;" colspan="2">In office</th> </tr><tr> <td style="border-top: none; text-align: center;" colspan="2">2004 – present</td> </tr><tr> <th>Preceded by</th><td>Eddie Fenech Adami</td> </tr><tr> <th>Political party</th> <td>Nationalist Party</td> </tr><tr> <th>Religion</th> <td>Roman Catholicism</td> </tr><tr> <th>Spouse</th> <td>Catherine Callus</td> </tr><tr> <th>Children</th> <td>David, Mikela, and Paul</td> </tr><tr> <th colspan="2">Website:www.pn.org.mt</th> </tr>

Lawrence Gonzi
Born	July 1, 1953 Pietà, Malta

Lawrence Gonzi (born July 1, 1953) is the Prime Minister and finance minister of Malta. He is also the leader of the governing Partit Nazzjonalista. He became prime minister on March 23, 2004, following the resignation of Eddie Fenech Adami.

[edit] Family

Gonzi is the son of Luigi Gonzi [1] and Ines Galea and grandnephew of Mgr. Michael Gonzi, the former Archbishop of Malta. Gonzi is married to the former Catherine Callus and they have three children, David, Mikela and Paul.

[edit] Political life

In 1987, Lawrence Gonzi contested the general elections unsuccessfully with the Nationalist party. He was appointed Speaker of the House in 1988, and in 1992 he was reappointed with a unanimous vote. Gonzi contested the general elections again in 1996 and this time he was successful. As an opposition MP he served as Shadow Minister for social policy, secretary of the nationalist parliamentary group, party whip and later general secretary of the party.

In 1998 he was returned and appointed minister for social policy. In May 1999 he successfully contested the post of Deputy Leader of the party and was appointed deputy prime minister and leader of the house.

Gonzi was again successful in 2003 and, following the resignation of Eddie Fenech Adami as Prime Minister and party leader, Gonzi won the leadership contest held in February 2004. He was appointed Prime Minister shortly afterwards. He has also assumed responsibility of the Ministry of Finance.

Preceded by: Eddie Fenech Adami	Prime Minister of Malta 2004 – present	Incumbent
Preceded by: Guido de Marco	Deputy Prime Minister of Malta 1999–2004	Succeeded by: Tonio Borg
Preceded by: Jimmy Farrugia	Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta 1988–1996	Succeeded by: Myriam Spiteri Debono
Preceded by: John Dalli	Minister of Finance 2004 – present	Incumbent
Preceded by: Eddie Fenech Adami	Leader of the Nationalist Party 2004 – present	Incumbent
Preceded by: Guido de Marco	Deputy Leader of the Nationalist Party (Malta) 1999–2004	Succeeded by: Tonio Borg
Preceded by: Austin Gatt	General Secretary of the Nationalist Party (Malta) 1998–1999	Succeeded by: Joe Saliba