Updated: Dalli nominated as European Commissioner
The government confirmed this evening that Social Policy Minister John Dalli is to be nominated to serve as European Commissioner.
The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting.
EU commission president Jose Manuel Barroso has been informed of the nomination.
Mr Dalli will succeed Joe Borg as European Commissioner.
In comments to the breakfast programme Bongu on PBS, Mr Dalli expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the PN Parliamentary Group for the confidence shown in him through this nomination.
He said his new post would carry major responsibility. He would be working in an environment which was very different from Malta’s but he was confident that his work would benefit Malta as well.
Mr Dalli said everyone had a right to interpret his nomination as he wished, but the facts were facts and he felt that his own abilities had a bearing on the nomination.
He paid tribute to Joe Borg, who he will succeed at the European Commission, saying he had done Malta proud.
Mr Dalli served in all Nationalist governments since the 1987 general election. He was initially Parliamentary Secretary for Industry but will be best remembered for the 10 years he served as Minister of Finance. He was also briefly Minister of Economic Affairs and Foreign Minister.
Mr Dalli was beaten by Lawrence Gonzi in the election for PN leader five years ago. and in July 2004 resigned from the Cabinet, saying he was unable to work because of attacks from different quarters.
He returned to the Cabinet as Minister of Social Policy after the last general election.
An accountant by profession, Mr Dalli, 61, has held management posts in the private sector and worked for several years abroad, including in Brussels.
Mr Dalli last week had a meeting with Mr Barroso, during which his responsibilities as commissioner are thought to have been discussed.
His departure from the Cabinet and Parliament will mean that a casual election in the sixth district and a Cabinet reshuffle will have to be held, probably when Parliament rises for the Christmas recess. The Speaker of the House, Louis Galea, is seen as being in pole position to get elected, should he decide to contest.
PN STATEMENT
The PN Parliamentary Group in a statement welcomed the decision and paid tribute to Mr Dalli, who, it said, had played a key role in major reforms in the financial sector and in the attraction of foreign investment.
The group also thanked Joe Borg for having served as European Commissioner with distinction.
Dr Borg was an example of how a small country could give a major contribution to European development, the group said.
40 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
E. Vassallo
Nov 25th 2009, 07:19
I am amazed by the amount of euolgies Dalli is receiving by certain Labour sympathizers. G.C. Forte-Yes Dalli comes from the sixth district...so what?
Muscat.Pat
Nov 24th 2009, 14:13
John Dalli is an able and experienced MP and minister. He has gone through and fine tuned many important reforms in Malta; its a pity that Gonzi kicked him upstairs to get rid of him.Worse stil that Malta is now stuck in the past with GonziPN.
Anthony Pace Gouder
Nov 24th 2009, 11:46
@J. Farrugia
Although I agree that the PN has some ABLE and competent members, the present Cabinet Ministers, PM and MPs cannot compare with those of the BORG OLIVIER era and even more dwarfed by the FENECH ADAMI's Governments. Incidentally during this period , John Dalli, had started his remarkable political career ,crowned with Ministerial Posts.
Mentioning the Pope 's succession , there is a similarity to the above , as one regretfully cannot compare the present Pope's standing with the outstanding ,uncomparable and charismatic reign of his predecessor .
Frank Muscat
Nov 24th 2009, 11:07
Good bye to the Minister who has miserably failed to deliver in the Social Policy and Health sector. John Dalli simply does not have the ministerial skills to grapple with issues that confront him on a daily basis and are totally out of his depth. Having his base in Brussels will certaintly help him network to his heart's content!
michael mizzi
Nov 24th 2009, 10:23
I see this as another Machiavellian move by Dr Gonzi. ( George Abela as President) Getting Mr Dalli out of his way by 'promoting' him!!! Of course Mr Dalli shall do a good job.....Malta however still needed him to do a good job here. He seemed the only one who could bring about the much needed reform in our Social/Health Systems.
M Pace
Nov 24th 2009, 09:51
Its very nice to hear that all labourites are now confirming that John Dalli was a very valid minister and that he was obtaining good reults for Malta. they are also giving the impression that Mater Dei will continue tobe as effective as before However, till yesterday, these same persons were saying that Mater Dei was a complete failure!!! Unbeleivable! Is PL an opportunistic Party? Can Micallef Leyson explain please?
g.c.Forte
Nov 24th 2009, 09:39
@ IGalea...............100 out of 100 for your last comment.
monica muscat
Nov 24th 2009, 09:31
Congratulations Mr. Dalli. I am sure you will do us pround as did Dr. Joe Borg. By the way, I do not think that this is the end of the PN. with regards to the next general elections. I am sure that PM. Gonzi knows what he is doing. There are lots of new up-coming P.N. politicians who are able to step into the shoes of the old guards. I am positive they will be all and ready by next election time. Keep at it P.N.
lgalea
Nov 24th 2009, 09:30
Antoine Vella
Then you must be living in neverland Antoine.
J Farrugia
The PN Governments will remain in the Guiness Book of Records as the governments that destroyed Malta through irresponsible governments such as squandering around 500,000,000 Malta Liri left in Malta's coffers by the Labour Government and putting Malta and Maltese citizens in 4,000,000,000 ewros in debt. This is besides making Malta again a foreigners colony and doing absolutely nothing to stop the illegal immigrats invasion by expelling all illegal immigrats.
Dominic Chircop
Nov 24th 2009, 09:27
I think it is too early to write off the PN's chances in the 2013 elections.
Even though many Maltese would dearly love to see this come about, they are still very wary of electing a non-party like the PL.
Labour seems to have a penchant for shooting itself in the foot, irrespective of the amount of control its various leaders wielded.
So, forseeing what will happen to the PN, or to the PL for that matter, is somewhat frivolous. The 2008 election pointed to a Labour victory which did not come about. So, as the song goes - " It's a long way ghal go Kastilja, it's a long way to go."
A Galea
Nov 24th 2009, 09:21
@ Joe Spiteri: Don't forget HOW the election was won please!
kenneth spiteri
Nov 24th 2009, 09:04
congratulations to Onor. John Dalli. the one of the few that reamained close to the people.
we are still paying (WHO IS NATIONALIST AT HEART) the loss a great leader !!!!!!
Simon Borg
Nov 24th 2009, 08:50
The beginning of the end for PN in the coming elections. He was the last hope of a real reform in our failing health service and Quo Vadis Mater Dei. Good luck and thanks Mr. Dalli.
Joe Spiteri
Nov 24th 2009, 08:09
@ Mr Cassar
Don't forget the last general election please
Stephen Mizzi
Nov 24th 2009, 08:05
Sincere congratulations to John Dalli. Am sure that he will be an excellent asset, serving as an EU Commissioner. No matter what his portfolio is going to be his expertise will definitely reap excellent results. Thanks also to Joe Borg. He did an excellent job.... People like these make us proud to be Maltese!
Charles Zammit
Nov 24th 2009, 07:58
As the saying goes 2 mistakes do not make any wrong right. Mr. Dalli's nomination to the current cabinet was a mistake. His nomination for the EU commissioner's post is an even bigger mistake. Mr. Dalli's dismal past performance does not augur well. He leaves us ailing from a structured deficit and now also from setbacks in the health sector. The pharmacy of your choice comes immediately to mind besides other failures.
In contrast Dr. Borg has earned us esteem not least by the awards he won. The only positive thing that comes out of this move is that cabinet members can now look forward to work as a team - something which was very visibly lacking. My augurs go to the health sector. The future augurs well without shackles.
Antoine Vella
Nov 24th 2009, 07:55
Victor Laiviera
"Joe Borg was an excellent Commissioner and did Malta proud. "
Of course he did but I never heard you or the MLP/LP praise him when he was Commissioner.
John Borg
Nov 24th 2009, 07:47
No doubt that Mr Dalli's work will be of great benefit to Malta but his work would have been much more useful if spent in our parliament especially in this era of economic crisis where the control of the govt finances is hilighted. A change in job for Mr Dalli?...... Yes, sure, Minister of Finance!......the area in which he excells.
J Farrugia
Nov 24th 2009, 07:43
Sour grapes to these red sore losers. or shall I say serial losers, having lost 3 elections in a row is quite a feat. The MLP has made it to the guiness book of records for their long time in Opposition without having learnt any lessons. The PN has many able persons to chose from and unlike labour they dont send their best and able servants the likes of Dr Mike Falzon to the dogs. People come and go, they leave their imprint on the way, but no one is indispensable. A pope dies and another one is made. As for these mouth blabbers, let them have their idiotic day by fantasticating ways and means and ups and downs. but at the end of the day the PN will continue working for the good of the country. With or without these red blabbers.
g.c.Forte
Nov 24th 2009, 07:36
In my opinion,the P.N. ( Gonzi P.N. ) did a big mistake. Hon. J.Dalli was a key on the sixth district. I am sure that part of his votes are going to go on the P.L. next election. Dr. Gonzi used his mind not his soul.
Galea. L
Nov 24th 2009, 07:35
Edwin Cachia
Iz-zmien jaghti parir Edwin. Nifrah lil John Dalli, imma fl-istess hin din daqqa ta' stallett bhal ma kienet ta' Dr Gorg Biorg Olivier.
D Ellul
That's it.
Albert Critien
Nov 24th 2009, 07:33
Congratulations John, it is in reality a great pity as both Country and party are going to miss your remarkable qualities but then it will be unfair if one had to even try to hold you back, our loss will be to Europe's gain of which we as members will benefit
Christine Mallia
Nov 24th 2009, 07:29
@ L.Galea - where do you see that there is something wrong that when Gonzi resigns, Simon Busuttil becomes the leader. I can never say when it will happen or if the future leader is going to be Simon or somebody else. That, I cannot predict. PN always enjoyed a good number of prominent people within its ranks. No problem. It will be ONLY hard to choose the BEST . What I am sure is, that whoever becomes leader will lead the party only then. May I ask ? Who was the PL leader in the 50' s ? Who was the PL leader between 1984 and 1987 ? Who was the PL leader between 1996 and 1998 ? Who is the present PL leader ? History keeps repeating itself, my dear friend !!!! 2013 will not make any difference !!!! For PN and for PL. Then PL will start talking about 2018 ................ !!
m borg
Nov 24th 2009, 07:28
kien bis-sahha tieghu li membru tal-familja taghna reget giet tara. mhux bi pjacir imma b'gustizzja. grazzi ghal dejjem sur dalli.
Joe Cassar
Nov 24th 2009, 07:15
@ Mr Edwin Cachia
May I point out that Dr Gonzi IS a serial loser:
- He lost every Local Council election he fought
- He lost both MEP elections, the last one with record proportions
- He lost his party the absolute majority and only managed to hang on to power with a statistically insignifact margin of some 1500 votes obtained by dubious means.
- Even internally, his protegee was recently beaten in the election for PN President.
Victor Laiviera
Nov 24th 2009, 07:01
Once again, the PN puts the party before the country.
Joe Borg was an excellent Commissioner and did Malta proud.
But since it is expedient for the PN to "kick Dalli upstairs" as he is still seen a a threat to Gonzi's leadership, Joe Borg has been cast aide like a squeezed lemon.
Ronnie Pellegrini
Nov 24th 2009, 06:31
This was a polite way for Gonzi to get rid of John Dalli !! John Dalli was the best minister in the present cabinet. No one is capable to replace him. Congratulations JOHN.
lawrence cardona
Nov 24th 2009, 05:55
I want to congratulate John Dalli for his new position and thank him for all he done to keep in mind those nationalist people that where left a side by the rest hope one day someone will remember of us again thanks and may god be with you
V.Micallef
Nov 24th 2009, 00:52
Are you sure it won't be Mario De Marco or Beppe Fenech Adami?
Mario Camilleri
Nov 23rd 2009, 23:51
I think more important that Dalli being nominated Commissioner, is the Cabinet changes that this nomination will bring about. Are we about to see Chris Said Minister for Social Policy and Local Councils? Mario de Marco Parl Sec for Information and Public Dialogue and Robert Arrigo Parl Sec for Tourism? And shall we see Beppe Fenech Adami as Parl Sec with Austin Gatt?
D Ellul
Nov 23rd 2009, 23:06
@Galea L.
This is a likely scenario come 2013. Simon Busuttil as leader of the PN in Opposition for at least 10 years. With Dalli out of the way, it is very much possible, although I must say that the PN lost a very good politician.
Neville Zammit
Nov 23rd 2009, 22:46
This was a polite way how to get rid of John Dalli! Although I am sure that Dalli will make a good job, as he always did in his posts, but I still belive that this nomination is a mistake because Dalli was one of the best ministers the coutry has.
Wish you luck John!
C Borg
Nov 23rd 2009, 22:43
The EU gain is Malta's loss, we lost a brilliant minister for Health, now who's going to replace him?
edgar rossignaud
Nov 23rd 2009, 22:38
John Dalli is definitely fit for the post, and will be a worthy sucessor to Joe Borg, whatever role the EU gives him. Pity for Malta however, as he is one of the few do-ers in the Cabinet and was moving in the right direction to properly address the many issues with our Health Service, and will be hard to replace.
Edwin Cachia
Nov 23rd 2009, 22:29
@ L Galea
Imdorri taqra l-comics tal-fantaxxjenza inti...jew tara wisq super one.
Gonzi jirrizenja ghalxiex ? Infakkrek f'kemm kontu tghidu li Gonzi u Serial Loser u meta rebah l-elezzjoni generali. Any bets li fl-2012/13 jigri l-istess ?
u f'dak il-kaz x'jigri ? F'min iwahhal Joseph ?
Congratulations Hon Dalli !!! Weel Done Prime Minister !!!
Malcolm seychell
Nov 23rd 2009, 22:20
It is a big loss for our local politics, but surely Hon Dalli will make us proud abroad with his vast experience
Well done Hon Dalli.
Joseph M. Meli
Nov 23rd 2009, 22:17
Night of the Long Knives ... Malta style !!!
John Pace
Nov 23rd 2009, 22:05
Let me be the one of the first to congratulate Mr Dalli and wish him every success in his new post.
Galea. L
Nov 23rd 2009, 21:56
A golden handshake to get him out of the way so that he will not contest the leadership when Gonzi resigns to make way for his darling Simon. Any bets that Simon will be nominated as leader after Gonzi resigns?
M. Azzopardi
Nov 23rd 2009, 21:56
Good luck and well done to Minister John Dalli. This is surely a promotion from our Prime Minister to a man who has a long political career. I am sure he will do well as a commissioner. Good luck John and well done Lawrence!