Tributes to the former PN MP Karl Gouder poured in throughout Tuesday morning after the news emerged that he had died at the age of 45 years old.
Gouder was found dead in Valletta at the age of 45 on Tuesday morning. He had declared his intention to run for the position of PN General Secretary a couple of days prior. His death is not being treated as suspicious.
Shortly after it became known that Gouder had passed away, tributes began being posted on social media from across the political scene.
President Myriam Spiteri Debono said that she had never met Gouder personally, but she said that he had observed how he acted and spoke ever since he came into the political scene.
“I must say that when he was mentioned for the post of PN Secretary General I saw it in a positive light both for the party’s and the nation’s interests,” she wrote. “Karl, rest in peace and may your beautiful qualities shine through others,” she said.
PN Leader Bernard Grech said that Gouder was a “dedicated person who occupied various important roles in the structures of the PN as well as its media”. He added that he is thinking of Gouder’s family and praying for them.
Prime Minister Robert Abela said that he had known Gouder for a long time and that he had become good friends with him ever since they knew each other as children at school. He remarked that the two had grown up together and later became colleagues in Parliament. “Despite being on opposing benches, the friendship from our childhood always remained.”
Abela continued that Gouder always had a sense of commitment towards the community and citizens. The PM added that he is “truly sorry for his loss” and that he is sending his condolences to Gouder’s family and friends.
Speaker Anglu Farruga expressed his sorrow at the news of Gouder’s death, and offered his and Parliament’s condolences to his friends and all those close to him.
Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Parliament, posted an image of herself and Gouder on Facebook and said that she is devastated and will miss the former MP.
PN MEP David Casa said that the news of Gouder’s death was a “big shock”. He continued that he will cherish their friendship and salute Gouder’s memory. “We remember him as a man of exemplary seriousness and dedication.”
PN MP Karol Aquilina wrote that Gouder's loss was huge. "Hard. Too hard. I don't have the words, and I doubt that there exists the words, to express how I am feeling right now," Aquilina wrote on Facebook. "Karl's loss is an immense one. I have lost a colleague, a friend, a person with a heart of gold," he said. He added that he had the fortune to work with Gouder not just within the PN, but also within the University of Malta Student council KSU and the student organisation SDM.
"Today's ugly news brings with it a lot of questions which I do not know how to answer," he said.
PN Deputy Leader Alex Perici Calascione wrote: “No words can adequately describe shock, disbelief and such boundless, boundless sadness. Fly high “Buddy”…you were not one of the best…you were the best.”
PN MP Adrian Delia said that he is “without words”. He remarked about how he had spoken to Gouder a few days ago and that they had agreed to meet and discuss steps moving forward for the PN and Malta. “Rest in peace friend,” he commented.
In a statement posted on the PN’s Facebook page, it said that the party sends its sincere condolences to Gouder’s family and wrote about how he had led the electoral campaign for the elections this past June. The PN echoed Grech’s sentiments of praying for and thinking of Gouder’s family.
Energy Minister Miriam Dalli spoke of Gouder as a gentleman and a man of great esteem. “There was always great respect whenever we spoke, which you do not always find.”
Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said that Gouder was always a respectable man and offered his condolences to the former MP’s family.
Transport Minister Chris Bonett said that he is without words and that he and Gouder have been friends since they were at University despite coming from “opposing political camps”. Bonett described Gouder as a “good strategist, a sympathetic person, and above all a loyal adversary”. He added that Gouder never attacked anyone personally and that he always spoke to people kindly “and so he was very respected”.
The Malta Gay Rights Movement posted a statement in which they said that they are shocked at the news of Gouder’s passing. The organisation said that Gouder was Malta’s first openly gay politician to be elected as an MP and added that he “was one of the more vocal persons in the early days of the debate on the cohabitation bill and in the journey towards marriage equality.”
“We want to thank Karl for his commitment to his public office and for representing our community, particularly at a time when the conversation was very different from today,” MGRM added that they offer their sincere condolences to Gouder’s family, friends, and colleagues.
Fr Joseph Borg said that the news of Gouder’s passing has shocked him. “When they called me a bit ago I could not rise from my chair.”
Borg continued that Gouder was a gentleman and that he was one of the best people. He said that Gouder got along well with everyone because he respected everyone. Borg described the former MP as a determined, capable, and loyal worker. “He managed to do what no one else had the ability to do,” Borg said as he spoke about Gouder’s work with Net TV. “He, his family, and his friends are in my prayers.”