This afternoon’s outcome of Tonio Borg’s hearing as Health and Consumer Affairs Commissioner-designate is far from certain but there seems to a shift in the Socialist group’s position that may tilt the balance in his favour.
The group is on the verge of taking an official position to back Tonio
European Parliament sources yesterday told The Times that the group’s stand – which is crucial for Dr Borg’s survival – had shifted drastically from last week and was likely to be positive.
The European People’s Party and the Socialists command a majority in the EP chamber and the backing of the latter will seal Dr Borg’s confirmation.
“The Socialist group is almost on the verge of taking an official position to back Tonio Borg,” EP sources said.
“Negotiations with Socialist delegations within the group, spearheaded by Labour’s head of delegation Louis Grech, will continue until the last minute, but things are looking positive.”
Originally, the Socialists in the EP had taken a confrontational approach towards the nomination.
Group president Hannes Swoboda had warned Dr Borg he would be heavily grilled, giving the impression that the Socialists were not keen on his nomination.
However, since the Labour Party in Malta has made it clear it is four-square behind Dr Borg’s nomination, sentiment appears to have shifted his way.
Over the past few weeks he has conducted a blitz campaign in Brussels, meeting nearly all the MEPs who will be questioning him.
He has spent hours studying the minute details of his dossier with the help of high-ranking officials who used to assist former Commissioner John Dalli in his restricted Cabinet.
“Dr Borg is very well prepared and knows his portfolio inside out,” sources close to Dr Borg told The Times yesterday. “He has quickly learned all the intricacies of EU policy and I am sure he will give an excellent performance,” a member of his entourage said.
Unlike what happened before Mr Dalli’s hearing, where MEPs did not ask anything about the candidates’ past and concentrated solely on health and consumer affairs issues, Dr Borg has faced a relentless negative media campaign.
There have been numerous briefings sent directly to the offices of MEPs warning about Dr Borg’s conservative views particularly in relation to gays, divorce, abortion and migration.
He was also falsely implicated in in bribery in a case concerning a former Khazak ambassador facing serious accusations in his country.
Until last night Dr Borg was still facing resistance with a press conference by members of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, the Greens, and a coalition of eight civil society organisations calling on the European Parliament to reject his nomination.
They also called on EU Commission president José Manuel Barroso to withdraw Dr Borg’s nomination, expressing concern over Dr Borg’s views on social issues related to EU competencies.
“Tonio Borg’s appointment would be a serious risk to the principles of fundamental rights and a strong signal of departure by the European Commission from those principles,” the organisations said in a statement.“We believe his long-term, dedicated, consistent actions, statements, campaigns and voting records conveyed as ‘issues of conscience’... are not compatible with the fundamental principles and values of the EU and would prevent him from being an impartial commissioner.
“This is especially the case for the public health portfolio.”
Dr Borg’s hearing will be held before three EP committees – environment, internal market and agriculture – and will last for about three hours.
At the end of the meeting, representatives of the political groups will meet to deliver their first verdict.
Dr Borg will also have to be approved by the plenary session of the EP, to be held in Strasbourg next week, before he can take up a seat in the college of Commissioners.