‘I Will Miss You’: Politicians Pay Tribute To Karl Gouder
Tributes have begun pouring in for Karl Gouder who passed away suddenly at the age of 45.
“Devastated. I will miss you,” European Parliament President Roberta Metsola wrote on Facebook.
Gouder’s body was found lifeless in Valletta earlier this morning and his death isn’t being treated as suspicious. This happened just days after he declared his intention to run for the post of PN secretary-general.
Politicians all over the island have begun posting tributes to Gouder on their social media. Opposition Leader Bernard Grech was the first person to share the news publicly, while Prime Minister Robert Abela described him as a “childhood friend”.
PN MEP David Casa, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri, Culture Minister Owen Bonnici, Independent Politician Arnold Cassola, Transport Minister Chris Bonnett and the official PN Facebook page have honoured his memory on social media, detailing their shock when discovering the news.
“I will cherish our friendship and honour his memory. I’ll remember him as a man with seriousness and exemplary dedication,” Casa wrote.
“I’ve known Karl since University and I’ve watched him rise to a local and parliamentary political level.
For some time, he was also my Shadow Minister and the rapport we had was an excellent one. His criticism was always genuine and sincere, never destructive or cruel,” Bonnici said.
Overall, Gouder was described as a respectable man who dedicated much of his working life to the Nationalist Party.
A former PN MP and St Julian’s mayor, Gouder recently held the role of chief operations officer of the PN’s media wing. He declared this week that he intended to run for the post of PN secretary general, after Michael Piccinino announced he will step down to focus on his election campaign.
Lovin Malta extends its deepest condolences to Karl’s family and loved ones
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