Tonio Borg, Commissioner-designate for Health and Consumer Protection, faced questioning yesterday from MEPs on the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee, in cooperation with the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection and the Committee on Agriculture.

He has been put forward to succeed John Dalli who resigned after the presentation of a report by the EU anti-fraud office, OLAF, linking him to a Maltese entrepreneur who sought financial gain in return for influencing future EU legislation on tobacco products.

According to the EP’s rules of procedure, Mr. Borg was assessed on the basis of his general competence, European commitment, personal independence and the second part relating to the management of portfolio and cooperation with European Parliament.

During the hearing, ALDE MEPs expressed serious concerns about Mr. Borg’s past record which suggested a discriminatory attitude on homosexuality, divorce and abortion which would be incompatible with his responsibilities as EU public health and consumer policy commissioner as well as with respect to fundamental rights. MEP Chris Davies (LibDem, UK), ALDE coordinator made the following statement at the subsequent evaluation meeting of the ENVI Coordinators:

“We recognise that Dr Borg gave a profound performance at the hearing this afternoon. We have no reason to doubt that he is competent and able. However, his views on homosexuality, divorce, abortion, and the scientific use of tissues and cells have been well reported and, while he stated his opposition to discrimination and support for human rights, Dr Borg made no attempt to deny his opinions on social issues of great importance. They remain his views.

“The health portfolio embraces a range of issues where impartiality is crucial. The personal views of a Commissioner should play no part in shaping policies that affect individuals of both genders and of all sexual orientations. But in the case of Dr Borg we are not assured that the necessary impartiality would prevail. Accordingly we withhold our support for the confirmation of the Commissioner-designate with regard to the particular portfolio for which he has been nominated.”

European Parliament will decide by a majority of votes on the appointment of the Commissioner by secret ballot during the November plenary session.

Also issuing a statement, the S&Ds said that they demand further commitments from Commissioner-designate Tonio Borg.

Following yesterday’s hearing with Commissioner-designate Tonio Borg on issues relating to the health and consumer protection portfolio as well as his record in office and personal beliefs, the S&D Group has begun discussions on next week’s plenary vote on Mr Borg’s nomination.

Speaking after an initial Group debate on the issue, S&D president Hannes Swoboda stated:

“Above all, we regret that the Maltese government did not nominate a candidate with a less controversial track record and with more commitment to European values such as women’s and LGBT rights, which are particularly dear to the S&D Group.

“However, Mr Borg’s performance in the hearing did demonstrate factual knowledge and dedicated preparation which leads us to believe that he could manage the portfolio in an effective manner, if appointed.

“In the interests of swift progress on essential issues in the health and consumer protection portfolio, we are aware of the importance of appointing a dedicated Commissioner as soon as possible.”

Speaking on Mr Borg’s commitment to ensuring his personal views do not interfere with his actions as Commissioner, Hannes Swoboda added:

“Mr Borg publicly stated that his personal views would not interfere with his actions as Commissioner, if appointed, and that he would stand by the European Charter of Fundamental Rights. We just have his word for it at this point and many members are still concerned about whether he would actually follow this line once his appointment was confirmed.

“In the coming days it will be up to Mr Borg to further clarify and convince us that he will stand by those statements and keep the promises he made yesterday.

“The S&D Group will continue discussions in the coming week and vote on its position on Tuesday. If Mr Borg is confirmed, we will certainly hold him to account on his promises.”

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