Bernard Grech (born 8 June 1971) is a Maltese politician and lawyer who has been the leader of the Nationalist Party and the Leader of the Opposition since 2020.
Bernard Grech | |
|---|---|
 Grech in 2022 | |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| Assumed office 7 October 2020 | |
| President | George Vella |
| Prime Minister | Robert Abela |
| Preceded by | Adrian Delia |
| Leader of the Nationalist Party | |
| Assumed office 3 October 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Adrian Delia |
| Member of Parliament | |
| Assumed office 6 October 2020 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 June 1971 Paola, Malta |
| Political party | Nationalist Party |
| Spouse | AnneMarie Grech |
| Relations | Edwin Grech (uncle) Karin Grech (cousin) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Malta |
Early and professional life
editGrech was born on 8 June 1971, in Paola to John and Frida Grech. He grew up in Birżebbuġa and he graduated as a lawyer, focusing on civil law.[1] Grech practiced his professional activity in two law firms, specializing in the mediation of family disputes.
Involvement in politics
editIn 2011, Grech took part in the campaign, which was later lost, against the legalization of divorce in Malta.[2] Not officially involved until then in active roles in politics, he got closer to the positions of the Maltese Nationalist Party in 2018. In August 2020 he stood against the leader Adrian Delia, after the party congress voted to hold a new leadership contest.[3]
Grech became the leader of the Nationalist Party on 3 October 2020, winning the election against incumbent Adrian Delia with 69.3% of the votes.[4] He was sworn in as Leader of the Opposition on 7 October.[5]
General Elections 2022
editA year and a half after his appointment, the Nationalist Party faced their first elections under the leadership of Bernard Grech. In the 2022 General Elections, the Labour Party (PL) under Robert Abela obtained 162,707 votes; 39,474 more than Grech's Nationalist Party (PN) which obtained 123,233 votes; and as percentages the PL earned 55.1% and the PN 42.1%, almost a repeat of the same results as the previous two elections. It was Malta's biggest electoral victory and the biggest defeat for the Nationalist Party since Independence to date.
Comparing the general election with the 2017 election, one also finds that the Labour Party reduced its votes by 8,269 votes, while the Nationalist Party reduced the votes by 12,464 votes.
Vitals Global Healthcare Case
editIn 2015, a deal was signed between the Maltese Government and Vitals Global Healthcare that granted a concession to Vitals to run three hospitals, St Luke's Hospital, Karin Grech Hospital and the Gozo General Hospital. In 2018 Adrian Delia, then leader of the Opposition, had filed the case against the Prime Minister, Vitals Global Healthcare, the Attorney General, the CEO of Malta Industrial Parks Limited and the chairman of the Board of Governors of the Lands Authority in a bid to force the cancellation of the 99-year concession agreement. The cancellation was requested on the basis that the concessionaires, both Vitals Global Healthcare and Steward Healthcare, had not fulfilled their contractual obligations.[6] Adrian Delia won the case with Judge Francesco Depasquale ruled that Steward and Vitals were fraudulent and the Hospitals were transferred back to the state. This case resulted in one of the worst polling results for Robert Abela's Labour Party thus increasing the popularity of Bernard Grech's Nationalist Party as for the first time since 2013, the result of the Poll was within the Margin of Error.[7]
Personal life
editGrech declares himself a practicing Catholic; he also expressed opinions against the legalization of abortion.[8] In his private life he cultivates a personal interest in opera.[2]
Grech is married to AnneMarie.[9] They have two children together, a son and a daughter, and reside in Mosta.
Grech's father John died on 18 September 2022 at the age of 90, while his mother, Frida, died in January 2023.[10][11]
References
edit- ^ Diacono, Tim (26 July 2020). "Who Is Bernard Grech, The Rising Star Seeking To Become PN Leader?". Lovin Malta. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ a b Borg, Jacob (7 August 2020). "Bernard Grech: From Delia darling to leadership challenger". Times of Malta. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ "Delia on the ropes as council votes for PN leadership election". Times of Malta. 1 August 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ Vella, Matthew (3 October 2020). "Bernard Grech is new PN leader with 69.3% of the vote". Malta Today. Archived from the original on 6 October 2020.
- ^ Azzopardi, Karl (7 October 2020). "Bernard Grech sworn in as Opposition leader". Malta Today. Archived from the original on 10 October 2020.
- ^ Agius, Matthew (24 February 2023). "Judge annuls hospitals deal, slams Vitals, Steward and government in damning ruling". Malta Today. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- ^ Sansone, Kurt (12 March 2023). "Steward stuns Labour and Abela in worst polls ever". Malta Today. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- ^ Balzan, Saviour (24 August 2020). "The man of the moment - Bernard Grech". Malta Today. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ "Top Bernard Grech aide Jeremy Gingell resigns". Times of Malta. July 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
- ^ Balzan, Jurgen (18 September 2022). "PN calls off Sunday meeting following death of Bernard Grech's father". Newsbook. Beacon Media Group. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
- ^ "Bernard Grech announces passing of mother, Frida". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 11 January 2023.