Joe Borg eyes second term in Brussels

EU Commissioner Joe Borg has admitted that he would like to serve a second term, though permanent representative Richard Cachia Caruana and MEP Simon Busuttil are also in the running for the post.

With 10 months to go to the end of the current European Commission's term, the race for the seat of Malta's next European Commissioner has begun.

When contacted, Dr Borg told The Sunday Times: "I will be very happy to continue serving as Commissioner in the next Commission."

However, he admitted that he had had a change of heart on the issue in recent months after initially feeling that one term was enough.

"It is true that at first I was not interested in a second term. However, now that I have got to know the workings of the Commission very well - and think that I've done a good job - I wouldn't really mind serving for more years if the Prime Minister gives me the opportunity."

Sources said the Prime Minister would take a decision on the issue after the European Parliament elections in June.

Both Mr Cachia Caruana and Dr Busuttil declined to comment on the issue.

Despite never having contested an election, Mr Cachia Caruana is widely considered to have played an instrumental part in the Nationalist Party's successes both in the Fenech Adami and Gonzi eras.

Apart from being chief negotiator during Malta's intense accession process to the EU, Mr Cachia Caruana served for 15 years as the top aide of Eddie Fenech Adami. He was then appointed as Malta's first Permanent Representative to the EU and attends the weekly Cabinet meetings at Castille.

Dr Busuttil, considered by the Prime Minister to be one of his party's best assets - so much so that he approached him to become the PN's general secretary after the last general election, though he was rebuffed - is also in the race.

A lawyer by profession and considered to be an EU expert, the former head of the Malta-EU Information Centre, who this year turns 40, is also a formidable vote puller for the Nationalist Party. Dr Busuttil had polled a record 59,000 votes in the MEP elections in 2004.

A senior official within the Office of the Prime Minister told The Sunday Times that Dr Gonzi's choice would be difficult.

"The three candidates are all very good. Dr Borg has done a good job in Brussels and a second term could get Malta a better portfolio in the next Commission. At the same time, Mr Cachia Caruana is an excellent administrator and he will surely be a tough fighter for Malta's interests. Dr Busuttil has made an exceptional impression as an MEP despite coming from a small member state."

On the other hand, the sources said that the Prime Minister will also take into consideration other factors.

"While Mr Cachia Caruana was instrumental in Dr Gonzi's success at the last election and the Prime Minister must feel indebted to him, he will not be easily replaced in Brussels. On the other hand, Dr Busuttil might still be considered as too young, although other commissioners in their early forties have been appointed before. Dr Busuttil is also seen as a vote puller and still has a great future in the Nationalist ranks."

Back in 2003, when the first Maltese EU Commissioner was to be appointed, Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami made his choice from a list of three candidates: Dr Borg, Mr Cachia Caruana and then Finance Minister John Dalli.

The sources said that this time round, the Prime Minister's decision will also be influenced by what happens in the European Parliament elections. If the centre-left obtains a majority in the next EP, as is expected, it is almost certain that the current President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso will be given a second mandate. This will put Dr Borg in a better position to be re-appointed, although Mr Cachia Caruana and Dr Busuttil made a name in the EU circles over the past five years.

Manoeuvres on an EU level have already started with some serving commissioners expressing their willingness to extend their term.

An EU Commissioner is appointed for a five-year term by the European Commission President following individual recommendations by the governments of the 27 member states. The post comes with a financial package of €220,000 per year, among other benefits.