Tonio Borg, Commissioner-designate for Health and Consumer Protection has obtained enough support from MEPs to be confirmed as the EU’s next Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner, despite a number of political groups rejecting his candidacy.

The ALDE Group rejected the candidacy of Tonio Borg as commissioner for public health, expressing 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), on behalf of ALDE declared, “Having gained a majority of support in the House he must now be careful not to allow his views to get in the way of rational judgment on sensitive issues of health and reproductive rights.”

“We recognise that Dr Borg gave a professional performance at his hearing and 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.

“The health portfolio embraces a range of issues where impartiality is crucial. and we are not assured that the necessary impartiality would prevail. Accordingly we withheld our support for the confirmation of the Commissioner-designate with regard to the particular portfolio for which he has been nominated. If he remains in charge of public health we will be scrutinising his decisions and statements on these areas very closely.”

Following the European Parliament’s approval of Tonio Borg as EU commissioner, Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party said, “Tonio Borg should ensure that he will promote European values and principles.”

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, said, “The approval of Tonio Borg means that the European Commission will have another conservative commissioner, which, in turn reflects the conservative majority in the European parliament.

“From day one, AD was consistent in opposing his nomination and in saying that Tonio Borg’s positions on LGBT rights, his decisions on migration and his parliamentary vote against divorce despite the result of Malta’s referendum were problematic. In a democracy, Tonio Borg is entitled to his beliefs, but we hope that the controversy surrounding his approval will lead to action on his part which respects basic European values and principles.”

Prof. Arnold Cassola, Alternattiva Demokratika Spokesperson on EU and International Affairs, said, “Malta and the Maltese have been subjected to humiliating treatment because of the choice of a controversial and problematic candidate, nominated by Prime Minister Gonzi and supported by Opposition Leader Muscat because of their limited egoistic party interests. Malta now needs to make up for the severe damage caused to its image during the past four weeks. For the future, Alternattiva Demokratika reiterates that Malta needs to nominate a consensual, non divisive and capable candidate who respects European values.”

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