Malta to nominate new EU Commissioner within reasonable time - PM
John Dalli.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said in Parliament this evening that the government would act within a reasonable time to nominate somebody to take over the responsibilities held by John Dalli in the European Commission.
Opposition leader Joseph Muscat called for prudence in the decisions which will be taken, in view of the current stage of this legislature.
In a brief statement in Parliament about Mr Dalli's resignation from the European Commission (see http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121016/local/john-dalli-resigns-from-the-european-commission.441363 ) Dr Gonzi said that he was informed of Mr Dalli's resignation in a phone call from EU Commission President Jose' Manoel Barroso at 3 p.m.
Mr Dalli also phoned him to inform him that he would fight all the allegations being made against him, and he was resigning in order to be better able to contest the claims and protect the reputation of the institution which he represented.
Dr Gonzi said he had not yet received the OLAF investigation report which led to the resignation, and he did not know whether he would be sent a copy, since the procedure was for the report to the sent to the Attorney General, who would decide whether further action was required.
The prime minister said that the government would, in a reasonable time, nominate another Maltese to take over the portfolio held by Mr Dalli.
Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat said one should be cautious and always seek to safeguard the national interest and reputation.
In view of the current stage of the legislature, he also called for prudence in the decisions which are taken.
He also urged the prime minister to deliver another statement if and when he received the OLAF report.
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J. Borg
Oct 17th 2012, 23:58
It may be good to act quickly to restore thrust in the institutions. However given we are on the even of an election, it makes sense that a nomination has the backing of the Opposition.
William Wallace
Oct 17th 2012, 00:13
New appointment for a new Commissioner?, .... easy RCC?, bets are on.
Matt Boyle
Oct 16th 2012, 22:25
Yes - surprisingly, RCC may be back in the picture!!
Or perhaps, not so surprisingly after all.
Siddhartha Gautama
Oct 16th 2012, 21:18
Presumption of innocence should always prevail. However, Dalli is the first EU commissioner to submit his resignation over an investigation by the EU's anti-fraud watch dog, OLAF.
mark johnson
Oct 16th 2012, 20:52
How about Yana?
If anyone throws muck at her, she'll throw it straight back.
John Cole Smith
Oct 17th 2012, 19:26
Yawn Yawn.
M Busuttil
Oct 16th 2012, 20:35
What about the ambassador to nowhere....Mr RCC !!
David Magro
Oct 17th 2012, 05:52
ha ha...I am betting on this M.Busuttil..that is the first thing that passed my mind....trading places!!
David Hill
Oct 16th 2012, 20:32
Now that would be a nice job for The Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi
steve fenech
Oct 16th 2012, 20:14
let's hope that this time round gonzi will nominate somebody who will not meddle in local politics whilst occupying the eu post !
Mr Albert Dimech
Oct 16th 2012, 20:14
Mr Dalli did the right thing, what any decent person in authority would do. Just can't help thinking about how Ministers Tonio Fenech and Dolores Cristina should have acted. Didn't they know what was going on under their respective noses?
Siddhartha Gautama
Oct 16th 2012, 21:15
Erm .. the decency was kindly but firmly suggested by President Barroso ... hadn't Dalli resigned the whole college of commissioners would have had to resign ... I'd call it damage limitation rather than decency.
Anthony Pace Gouder
Oct 16th 2012, 19:57
Problema ohra ghall- Gonzipn?........ diga issemma li l-vici Prim Ministru Dr. Tonio Borg li jista jilhaq minn floqu !
Victor Vella
Oct 16th 2012, 19:37
I think everybody knows his successor? X`kumbinazzjoni.
john muscat
Oct 16th 2012, 19:22
What's the hurry to nominate a new Commissioner? First let Mr. Dalli defend himself and fight the allegations, otherwise the PM has already condemned him before the EU has.
Martin Saliba
Oct 16th 2012, 19:47
He's done that before hasn't he ??
Kenneth Cassar
Oct 17th 2012, 09:25
John Muscat, please check the facts. Unless a new Maltese commissioner is nominated within a reasonable time, a foreign commissioner will be appointed in his stead.
james max zammit
Oct 16th 2012, 19:20
How about Frank Portelli.
A Attard
Oct 17th 2012, 07:57
I agree
Please choose the reason of your report below: