Robert Abela facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Abela
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Official portrait, 2022
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| 14th Prime Minister of Malta | |
| Assumed office 13 January 2020 |
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| President | George Vella Myriam Spiteri Debono |
| Deputy | Chris Fearne Ian Borg |
| Preceded by | Joseph Muscat |
| 9th Leader of the Labour Party | |
| Assumed office 12 January 2020 |
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| Preceded by | Joseph Muscat |
| Member of Parliament | |
| Assumed office April 2022 |
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| Constituency | District 2 |
| In office June 2017 – March 2022 |
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| Constituency | District 6 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 December 1977 Sliema, Malta |
| Political party | Labour |
| Spouse |
Lydia Abela Zerafa
(m. 2008) |
| Children | 1 daughter |
| Relatives | George Abela (father) Margaret Abela (mother) Alison Zerafa Civelli (sister-in-law) |
| Alma mater | University of Malta |
Robert Abela (born 7 December 1977) is a Maltese lawyer and politician. He has been the prime minister of Malta and the leader of the Labour Party since 2020. His father, George Abela, was a former President of Malta. Robert Abela was first elected to the Parliament of Malta in 2017. He became prime minister on 13 January 2020, after Joseph Muscat resigned.
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Early Life and Education
Robert Abela was born in Sliema, Malta. His father, George Abela, served as the President of Malta from 2009 to 2014. His mother, Margaret, worked at the Old University and later helped manage their family's law firm.
Robert grew up with his sister Marija in the towns of Għaxaq and Marsaskala. He went to primary school at the Sisters' School in Santa Luċija and St Francis primary school in Bormla. For secondary school and sixth form, he attended St Aloysius' College.
As a young person, Robert enjoyed sports. He played football as a goalkeeper for the national youth team. He also took part in bodybuilding competitions in the late 1990s.
Studying Law
Abela studied law at the University of Malta. He graduated in 2002. After finishing his studies, he joined his family's law firm, Abela Advocates. He focused on laws related to industries and work.
Political Journey
Robert Abela started getting involved in politics when his father, George Abela, was a deputy leader of the Labour Party. He helped the party during the 1996 general election. For many years, he worked behind the scenes. He also represented the party on TV shows and later became a legal advisor to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.
In June 2017, when he was 39 years old, Abela was elected to the Parliament of Malta. This was his first time running for election. He represented the sixth district, which includes Siggiewi, Luqa, and Qormi. He also worked as a legal advisor to the Prime Minister, which meant he could attend important government meetings.
Becoming Labour Leader and Prime Minister
In 2020, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat announced he would resign. Robert Abela decided to run for the leadership of the Labour Party. He was seen as a candidate who would bring "continuity," meaning he would keep things stable and normal. He ran against Chris Fearne, who wanted more changes.
Abela's campaign focused on party members. He promised to keep the same government ministers and staff if he became prime minister.
On 12 January 2020, the Labour Party held its internal elections. Robert Abela won with 9,342 votes, while Chris Fearne received 6,798 votes. More than 92% of the party members voted. After winning, Abela was announced as the new leader of the Labour Party.
The next day, Joseph Muscat officially resigned as prime minister. President George Vella accepted Muscat's resignation and then appointed Robert Abela as the new Prime Minister of Malta. His first official act was to appoint Clyde Caruana as his chief of staff.
Personal Life
In 2008, Robert Abela married Lydia Zerafa. She later became the secretary of the Labour Party's executive committee. They have one daughter named Giorgia Mae, who was born in 2012.
The Abela family lives in Marsaskala. They also own a farmhouse in Xewkija, Gozo.
Honours
National Honours
Malta: Companion of Honour of the National Order of Merit (2020) – This honour is given to the Prime Minister of Malta.
See also
In Spanish: Robert Abela para niños
- List of members of the parliament of Malta, 2017–2022
