European Commission president José Manuel Barroso yesterday gave his seal of approval to Tonio Borg to assume the job of EU Commissioner as MEPs prepare to decide the Maltese nominee’s fate tomorrow.
The attempts to blacklist Tonio Borg do not respect the liberties of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
In a letter to EP President Martin Schultz, copied to all MEPs, Mr Barroso lauded Dr Borg’s hearing last week and said there was no doubt Malta’s Foreign Minister was fully fit for the job as European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Affairs.
“I believe Mr Borg’s hearing has shown he is fully qualified on the substance matter of the portfolio,” Mr Barroso said.
“In this respect, I note the positive evaluation given by the relevant parliamentary committees. I am confident that this, together with the additional reassurances, will fully satisfy Parliament’s expectations,” he said.
Ahead of tomorrow’s vote, Mgr Charles Scicluna, who is being ordained Auxiliary Bishop on Saturday, gave Dr Borg his backing and took exception to comments by Green MEPs who objected to Dr Borg’s philosophy of life. [See story page 5.]
He said it would be a “disaster” and an “affront” to Maltese and all Catholics if Dr Borg was rejected by EU parliamentarians; this would be a disavowal of the EU’s own values, he argued.
Mr Barroso’s letter to MEPs was accompanied by another one sent by Dr Borg in which he reiterated the commitments he gave during the hearing including on gay and women’s rights and his promises on certain legislative proposals.
Despite leaving a very good impression during his three-hour grilling, MEPs from certain political groups, particularly the Socialists and the former communists, asked for an unprecedented letter of commitment from the Commissioner-designate.
Dr Borg yesterday adhered to this request to help remove any doubts he was competent for the job.
MEPs being bombarded with calls on how to vote
Just a day before the final vote, MEPs are still being bombarded with messages in favour and against Dr Borg’s nomination in an attempt to sway the vote.
A number of MEPs yesterday told The Times they had received hundreds of e-mails from individuals on behalf of the Campaign against Fundamental Liberties based in Poland – a Catholic fortress – urging them to approve Dr Borg.
In their message, titled No To Bullying Of Malta’s Candidate, the campaign accuses secular and homosexual communities of interfering with Dr Borg’s moral and religious views.
Warning that Dr Borg could become the next victim of political correctness, they urged MEPs to back his candidature as “the attempts to blacklist Tonio Borg do not respect the liberties of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights”.
On the other front, a number of NGOs headed by ILGA-Europe – the umbrella organisation of gay and bisexual NGOs – yesterday called for an online petition to be sent to MEPs to reject Dr Borg.
Stating it was still “not too late” to block Malta’s nomination, ILGA urged organisations to subscribe to their appeal.
Although the vote might just tilt in Dr Borg’s favour, the Socialist group – the second largest grouping in the EP – is expected to discuss and decide on a formal position.
Last week prominent members of the group expressed their satisfaction with Dr Borg’s performance at the hearing, but the group later demanded written assurances.
Sources close to the group said that, with the latest letter from Dr Borg, “there should be no problem for a positive Socialist position”.