| The Honourable George William Vella MP |
|
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 10 May 1981 |
|
| Deputy Leader of the Labour Party | |
| In office 26 March 1992 – 23 May 2003 |
|
| Preceded by | Joseph Brincat |
| Succeeded by | Charles Mangion |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 24, 1942 Zejtun, Malta |
| Political party | Labour (PL) |
| Spouse(s) | Miriam née Grima |
| Children | Claire Elaine George |
| Residence | Zejtun |
| Profession | Medical Doctor |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Website | www.mlp.org.mt |
Vella, George (William) (born 24 April 1942, Zejtun, Malta), is a Maltese politician. He is currently Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives of Malta.
He joined the Labour Party (PL) and he started his parliamentary career in 1978. He was subsequently elected member of parliament at the general elections held in 1981, 1992, 1996, 1998, 2003 and 2008 . As a Member of Parliament, he represents the 3rd District and the 5th District.
In 1978, he was a substitute member of the parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe and rapporteur on maritime pollution from maritime sources at the Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE). In 1987, he served as Malta's permanent representative at the Council of Europe between January and May. In 1992, he was elected Labour Party deputy leader for parliamentary affairs and spokesperson on foreign affairs. He served as vice chairman of the Joint EU/Malta Parliamentary Committee. In 1995 and 1996, Vella was a member of the House Business Committee and the Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Committee. During his political career, he led many delegations abroad and attended numerous conferences and seminars; he delivered speeches, mostly on foreign affairs and the environment, in Strasbourg, Aachen, London, Brussels, Paris, Moscow, Cairo, Damascus, and Tripoli. He was appointed deputy prime minister and minister for foreign affairs and environment in October 1996, but lost that position after the 1998 election.
Vella was born in Zejtun and is married to Miriam née Grima and they have two daughters and son, Claire, Elaine and George.