Victor Ragonesi, one of the pivotal figures working alongside Prime Minister Ġorġ Borg Olivier during Malta’s path to independence, has passed away at the age of 101.
A lawyer and long-serving Nationalist Party official, Dr Ragonesi played an influential role behind the scenes during the tense years leading up to Malta’s independence in 1964. As Dr Borg Olivier’s personal assistant and political confidant following the Nationalist Party’s 1962 election victory, he was deeply involved in the delicate talks between the Maltese delegation and British officials – negotiations that ultimately paved the way for the island’s sovereignty.
Though he withdrew from active politics in the years following independence, Dr Ragonesi remained a respected figure in legal and political circles. He continued to contribute commentary on national affairs and international relations, earning recognition later in life for his role in fostering ties between Malta and other countries.
Tributes have poured in following his death, with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola among those acknowledging his vital contribution to Malta’s independence movement and his lasting influence on the country’s political history.
Written By
Nicole Zammit
When she’s not writing articles at work or poetry at home, you’ll find her taking long walks in the countryside, pumping iron at the gym, caring for her farm animals, or spending quality time with family and friends. In short, she’s always on the go, drawing inspiration from the little things around her, and constantly striving to make the ordinary extraordinary.
