Anthony Buttigieg

Anthony Buttigieg (born 1962) is a Maltese politician, doctor and a former leader of the Democratic Party.

This article is about the Democratic Party politician. For the Maltese President and poet, see Anton Buttigieg.

Anthony Buttigieg
Leader of the Democratic Party
In office
1 November 2017 – 13 October 2018
Preceded byMarlene Farrugia
Succeeded byGodfrey Farrugia
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic Party
ProfessionPolitician, Doctor

Early life

Anthony Buttigieg was born in Malta in 1962. He spent his childhood in England. He graduated in medicine from the University of Malta in 1987. He spent several years working at St. Luke's Hospital in the emergency department before moving to St. James Hospital where he worked as a senior medical officer. In 1999 Buttigieg led a medical mission to Albania during the Kosovo War. He is a founding member of the Democratic Party becoming a deputy leader upon its formation, and later a leader up till now.[1]

Hobbies

In his free time, Buttigieg enjoys painting and reading – a hobby which accrued him a library of some 2000 books. He also loves nature and growing vegetables in his own home garden patch.

Political career

As deputy leader of Partit Demokratiku, Dr. Buttigieg made clear he was against the "us vs them" mentality of Maltese tribal politics.[2]

Anthony Buttigieg was appointed leader of the Democratic Party on 1 November 2017.[3] He stated that fighting corruption would be a main priority, along with fighting for the environment.[4]

Upon assuming the leadership, he explained in an interview that he wanted the Democratic Party to be a band of concerned citizens, and for Maltese politics to move beyond partisan cults of personality.[5]

He led a delegation of the Democratic Party to Amsterdam, to participate in the congress of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party. The Democratic Party then acceded to ALDE.[6]

Dr. Buttigieg spoke out against the government's economic model, making the rich richer and failing to distribute wealth beyond cronyism.[7]

He wrote to the EU Commissioner for Competition, Margrethe Vestager, to investigate ENEMED's 'fuel supply monopoly'.[8][9]

Along with deputy leader Timothy Alden he met with representatives of Maltese NGOs, including Din l-Art Ħelwa and Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar to pledge support to the Wirtna declaration.[10]

When the rule of law delegation came to visit Malta, he led a Democratic Party delegation to meet them. In the meeting, the Party said that clientelism in Malta was a major problem, and the Vitals Global Healthcare deal was discussed.[11]

He has also argued for a more inclusive national identity.[12]

Deciding to prioritise the upcoming European Parliament election, 2019, while balancing his other personal responsibilities, and believing it to be in the interests of the Democratic Party, Dr. Buttigieg announced that he would be stepping down from the leadership.[13]

References
  1. "Executive". pd.org.mt. Archived from the original on 29 June 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  2. "The Yuppie Meets Partit Demokratiku's Dr. Anthony Buttigieg! - The Yuppie". The Yuppie. 29 May 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  3. "Anthony Buttigieg is new Democratic Party leader". MaltaToday. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  4. "New PD Leader Anthony Buttigieg Says Fighting Corruption Is Main Priority". Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  5. Ltd, Allied Newspapers. "My PD doesn't need a leader with an ego - Anthony Buttigieg". Times of Malta. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  6. "Partit Demokratiku voted in as full ALDE members". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  7. Ltd, Allied Newspapers. "Economic model for the rich - Anthony Buttigieg". Times of Malta. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  8. "Partit Demokratiku leader asks EU Commissioner to investigate Enemed's 'fuel supply monopoly' - The Malta Independent". www.independent.com.mt. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  9. "The petrol importation monopoly". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  10. "PR 06/18 | Our Legacy / Wirtna – Meeting with Partit Demokratiku". Kamra tal-Periti. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  11. "Updated (4): Discussions focus on all matters relevant to rule of law – Ana Gomes - The Malta Independent". www.independent.com.mt. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  12. Ltd, Allied Newspapers. "Are we still truly Maltese? - Anthony Buttigieg". Times of Malta. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  13. Ltd, Allied Newspapers. "PD leader to step down to contest MEP election". Times of Malta. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
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