Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday said he would be “acting fast” to nominate a new European Commissioner from Malta and replace John Dalli, who resigned on Tuesday.
“I will be communicating with (European Commission) President José Manuel Barroso in this sense immediately in order to make sure that this episode is quickly closed in the interest of public trust in the institutions,” Dr Gonzi told a congress of the European People’s Party in Bucharest yesterday.
In a speech focusing on the need to strengthen the European Union, where he celebrated the recent award of the Nobel Peace Prize to the EU, the Prime Minister pointed out that “if we are for more Europe, then we must defend Europe”.
“We must defend Europe and the European cause in particular in public opinion,” he said, before talking about the shock that was felt at the unexpected resignation of Mr Dalli over revelations made by the anti-fraud office OLAF following an investigation.
“Mr Dalli has categorically denied any wrongdoing but resigned his post in order to defend his reputation and that of the Commission,” he said.
However, Dr Gonzi said he would be acting quickly to nominate a new commissioner to make it clear that he was “fully committed to the integrity of the institutions”.
At least four names were yesterday being mentioned in political circles about a possible replacement for Mr Dalli, including Louis Galea, dean of the European Court of Auditors, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg, former Commissioner Joe Borg, and Speaker Michael Frendo.
Sources said Dr Borg, the former Fisheries Commissioner, was the most qualified and experienced for the role. However, his relationship with the Prime Minister soured after his disappointment at being replaced by Mr Dalli in 2009.
The Foreign Minister is also a front-runner, even though there are doubts about how well received he would be within Europe - particularly due to his conservative political stands.
One of the benefits of his nomination would be the opportunity for the PN to elect a new deputy leader ahead of the upcoming general election who could appeal to disgruntled voters and MPs.
Meanwhile, Dr Galea, who was earlier in this legislature tipped as a candidate for President, is also being considered due to his experience as an EU auditor. His nomination is likely to be non-controversial.
Dr Frendo, a former foreign minister and the current Speaker of the House, has also been mentioned as a contender, as happened in the past when the positions of Commissioner or EU permanent representative had cropped up.
None of the potential contenders agreed to give comments to The Times yesterday when contacted, except Tonio Borg, who said: “I am happy where I am, but I am always ready to serve wherever the Prime Minister deems fit.”
Malta’s ex-EU permanent representative Richard Cachia Caruana has also been named as a possible contender due to his vast experience in EU affairs and the positive reputation he enjoys in Brussels.
However, his chances are likely to have been ruined due to the Labour Party’s vehement and constant criticism in his regard and the fact that Parliament forced him to resign from his role less than six months ago.