DR. FRANCESCO BUHAGIAR: PRIME MINISTER OF MALTA (1923
- 1924)
Dr. Francesco Buhagiar was Malta's second Prime Minister. Born
in Qrendi on the 7 September 1876, Francesco Buhagiar studied
law at the Royal University of Malta, graduating in 1901.
He followed a successful career as a lawyer and showed
himself a capable and sensitive exponent of civil and
commercial law.
After Malta was granted self-government Buhagiar was
returned to the Legislative Assembly in the elections of 1921
and 1924 in the interests of the Unione Popolare Maltese (UPM).
On 13 October 1922 he was appointed Minister of Justice in
succession to Dr. Alfredo Caruana Gatto and exactly a year
later he succeeded Senator Joseph Howard as Prime Minister.
The UPM coalition with the Labour Party came to an end on 2
January 1924 but Buhagiar led a minority government until
Parliament was dissolved in APril. After the June 1924
elections, the UPM returned only 10 Members to the Legislative
Assembly but Buhagiar was still asked to form a government. He
led a minority government till 22 September 1924 when he
resigned his seat and was appointed a judge of the Superior
Courts.
A gentlemen and a democrat, Francesco Buhagiar was highly
respected by all, even his political opponents. His career on
the Bench was a distinguished one, earning him a reputation as
an eminent practical man and an accomplished jurist.
Buhagiar continued his legal career in court till 1934 when
he succumbed to complications after an attack of acute
appendicitis. He died at the Blue Sisters Hospital and was
buried at the Addolorata Cemetery.
Francesco Buhagiar was married to Enrichetta Said and they
had five children.