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Veteran Malta Labour politician Dom Mintoff dies at 96 | Veteran Malta Labour politician Dom Mintoff dies at 96 |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Former Maltese Prime Minister Dom Mintoff, who played a dominant role in the island's politics for decades before and after its independence from the UK, has died, aged 96. | Former Maltese Prime Minister Dom Mintoff, who played a dominant role in the island's politics for decades before and after its independence from the UK, has died, aged 96. |
He was leader of the centre-left Labour Party from 1949 to 1984, and was PM twice, including from 1971 to 1984. | He was leader of the centre-left Labour Party from 1949 to 1984, and was PM twice, including from 1971 to 1984. |
He was known for his confrontational style and fiery speeches. | He was known for his confrontational style and fiery speeches. |
As prime minister, he often clashed with the powerful Catholic Church and greatly expanded Malta's welfare state. | As prime minister, he often clashed with the powerful Catholic Church and greatly expanded Malta's welfare state. |
Mr Mintoff died at his villa near the capital, Valletta, on Monday. | Mr Mintoff died at his villa near the capital, Valletta, on Monday. |
Born in 1916, the son of a Maltese cook in Britain's Royal Navy, he studied at Oxford University. | Born in 1916, the son of a Maltese cook in Britain's Royal Navy, he studied at Oxford University. |
After a rapid rise in the Maltese Labour Party, he first became prime minister of the then British colony in 1955. | After a rapid rise in the Maltese Labour Party, he first became prime minister of the then British colony in 1955. |
But he resigned only three years later when his campaign for integration with the UK collapsed in the face of fierce opposition from the Catholic Church. | But he resigned only three years later when his campaign for integration with the UK collapsed in the face of fierce opposition from the Catholic Church. |
Later, he switched sides to become an ardent supporter of Maltese independence, which was achieved in 1964, albeit under the rival centre-right Nationalist Party. | Later, he switched sides to become an ardent supporter of Maltese independence, which was achieved in 1964, albeit under the rival centre-right Nationalist Party. |
Disputes with Britain | Disputes with Britain |
But it was during Mr Mintoff's second term as prime minister that Malta cut its ties with the British monarchy and became a republic in 1974. | But it was during Mr Mintoff's second term as prime minister that Malta cut its ties with the British monarchy and became a republic in 1974. |
He also personally led the talks that ushered in the end of Britain's 200-year-old naval presence on the island in 1979. | He also personally led the talks that ushered in the end of Britain's 200-year-old naval presence on the island in 1979. |
As a counterbalance to waning British support, Mr Mintoff established close ties with Col Muammar Gaddafi's Libya. | As a counterbalance to waning British support, Mr Mintoff established close ties with Col Muammar Gaddafi's Libya. |
He also forged relations with communist China, while keeping the Soviet Union at arm's length. | He also forged relations with communist China, while keeping the Soviet Union at arm's length. |
His government introduced a wide range of social benefits and raised living standards. Tensions with the church eased to some degree, although he continued efforts to curb its influence. | His government introduced a wide range of social benefits and raised living standards. Tensions with the church eased to some degree, although he continued efforts to curb its influence. |
The period also saw an upsurge in violence between supporters of the Labour and Nationalist parties. | The period also saw an upsurge in violence between supporters of the Labour and Nationalist parties. |
Even after stepping down as Labour leader in 1984, Mr Mintoff continued to play an influential role as a member of parliament until 1998. | Even after stepping down as Labour leader in 1984, Mr Mintoff continued to play an influential role as a member of parliament until 1998. |
That year, he voted to bring down the then Labour government in response to a growing rift with its Prime Minister, Alfred Sant. | That year, he voted to bring down the then Labour government in response to a growing rift with its Prime Minister, Alfred Sant. |
Labour has been in opposition since then. | Labour has been in opposition since then. |
What are your memories of Dom Mintoff? Did you meet or work with him? What is his legacy to politics in Malta? Send us your comments using the form below. | |
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