Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca is the incumbent President of Malta, a member nation of Nuclear Suppliers Group. She took office on 4 April 2014 as the successor of George Abela. A member of the Labour Party, Coleiro Preca was Minister of the Family and Social Solidarity from 11 March 2013 to 29 March 2014 under Prime minister Joseph Muscat’s cabinet.
Early Life and Education
Marie-Louis Coleiro Preca was born on 7 December 1958 in Qormi, Malta. Having completed high school education from a local school, Coleiro Preca joined the University of Malta for an undergraduate degree in legal and humanistic studies.
Personal Life
Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca is married to Edgar Preca since 2007 with one child. The couple met back in 2002 after being introduced by a mutual friend in Valletta. Interestingly, Edgar was too shy to approach her until 2006 when they started to date.
Career
Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca has always been an active member of the Maltese Labour Party. To start with, she was a member of the National Executive of the Labour Party. Gradually, Coleiro Preca promoted to Asst. General Secretary and General Secretary of the party. Besides holding office in the labor party, Coleiro Preca was involved with National Bureau of Socialist Youths. Likewise, she was an integral part in founding Ġużè Ellul Mercer Foundation. Having a vocation for journalism, Coleiro Preca was engaged with Maltese newspaper named Il-Ħelsien.
Prior to landing an important position in the Maltese politics, Coleiro Preca became a member of the Maltese Parliament in 1998. As Coleiro Preca got re-elected several times, her political reputation rose to give her the seat of Minister for Social Policy in the shadow labor cabinet. In the meantime, Coleiro Preca also kept herself busy by involving in Parliamentary Permanent Committee for Social Affairs. Besides, in 2008, she bade for the leadership of the Labour Party but was unfortunately defeated.
On 11 March 2013, Coleiro Preca took office as Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity under Joseph Muscat’s cabinet as the successor of Chris Said. She served until 29 March 2014 and ascended the post of President of Malta on 4 April 2014. As the youngest President of Malta, she established The President’s Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society in order to uplift Maltese living standard and inclusiveness.
Honours
- Honorary Professor of Politics and International Studies, University of Warwick, 2015
- Companion of Honour of the National Order of Merit by right as a President of Malta
- Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George, United Kingdom
- Agent of Change, UN Women
Donald Trump and Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca
US President Donald Trump and Maltese President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca haven’t yet confronted each other. Yet, it seems Coleiro Preca is quite optimistic about Trump’s administration. She publicly said that the world should give him a chance. Moreover, she also mentioned that she hopes Trump will change his approach to representing all of America.
