Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, KUOM (born 8 November 1932) is a Maltese politician and was the fifth president of Malta from 1994 to 1999.
Ugo Mifsud Bonnici | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 5th President of Malta | |
| In office 4 April 1994 – 4 April 1999 | |
| Prime Minister | Edward Fenech Adami Alfred Sant |
| Preceded by | Ċensu Tabone |
| Succeeded by | Guido de Marco |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 November 1932 Cospicua, British Malta |
| Political party | Partit Nazzjonalista |
| Spouse | Gemma Bianco (1959–present) |
| Children | 3 |
| Signature |  |
Early life, education and family
editUgo Mifsud Bonnici was born in Cospicua as the son of Professor Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, and his wife, Maria (née Ross). He was educated at the Lyceum and the Royal University of Malta. He graduated as a Bachelor of Arts in 1952 and as a Doctor of Laws in 1955. As a lawyer, he has practised in all the Law Courts of Malta. On 3 May 1959, he married Gemma (née Bianco); the couple has three childrenː Carmelo, Anton and Jeanne-Pia.[1]
Entry to politics
editFollowing in his father's footsteps, he contested the General Elections in the interests of the Nationalist Party in 1966.[1] He was elected from the 2nd District which comprised Cospicua, Vittoriosa, Senglea, Kalkara and Fgura. He was re-elected in all subsequent General Elections that he contested. For fifteen years (1972–1987) he was the Nationalist Party's spokesman for Education. In 1977 he was also elected President of the Party's General and Administrative Councils.[1]
Member of the Cabinet
editIn 1987, the Nationalist Party was elected to Government and Bonnici was appointed to the Cabinet as Minister of Education.[2] His portfolio included Education, Environment, Broadcasting, Culture, Youth, Museums and Sport. In 1990, he became Minister of Education and the Interior. Following the 1992 elections, Mifsud Bonnici was appointed Minister of Education and Human Resources.[1]
As a Member of Parliament, he took an active interest in the updating of Malta's legislation. He was a member of numerous Select Committees including the Committee set up to draft the Constitutional changes that declared Malta a Republic.[1] As a Minister, he worked on the drafting of important legislation such as the Education Act, the Environment Act, the National Archives Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Promotion Act. He made a strong effort to improve the standards at public schools.[3]
Presidency
editHe was inaugurated as President of Malta on 4 April 1994, and served his term in full, ending five years later to the day. He was succeeded by Guido de Marco in 1999.
Writings
editDr. Mifsud Bonnici is a prolific writer. His articles have appeared in various newspapers; some were published in two books: Il-Linja t-Tajba - L-Aħjar Artikli ta' Dottor Ugo Mifsud Bonnici and Biex il-Futur Reġa' Beda.[4] He also spent some years as editor of a literary magazine Malta Letterarja.[5][6]
Honours
editNational Honours
edit
Malta : Companion of Honour of the National Order of Merit (1994) "by right as a President of Malta"
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Profile of Dr Ugo Mifsud Bonnici". Archived from the original on 2012-03-06. Retrieved 2009-02-14.
- ^ Sammut, Austin (15 May 1987). "Defeated Malta leader has heart attack as new Cabinet is sworn in". The Times.
- ^ Grima, Godfrey (10 March 1988). "Malta 3; High Technology Bid". The Financial Times.
- ^ http://www.aboutmalta.com/grazio/pres.html
- ^ Profile, 2 Archived 2009-02-28 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Profile, 3". Archived from the original on 2012-03-06. Retrieved 2009-02-14.