Socialists reject Borg nomination - Scicluna: 'A humiliating experience'

Evelyn Vella Clark

Nov 21st 2012, 20:52

Issa li Tonio gie ikkonfermat nahseb li Ed Scicluna m'ghandux ghalfejn jibqa jhossu umiljat anzi ghandu jhossu sodisfatt li ghalkemm shabu ma vvvutawx favur kien hemm minhom ukoll li ma impurahomx min kif hasbuha shabhom u ivvutaw favur. Dawk li hasbu li Gonzi ghamel zball fl-ghazla tieghu ghandhom jibilghu dak li qalu u dawk li hadmu kontra Tonio biex ma jintaghazilx baqghu b'xiber imnieher

Joe Xuereb

Nov 21st 2012, 20:19

English saying re: TB's signing - one may stoop & pick up nothing.
@J Tabone(Today, 09:13). Patriotism is fine. Nationalism is dangerous.
@Mr Anthony Zarb(Today, 08:31). You're joking?!
@Mary Ann Borg(Today, 10:48).Fear of death & unknown' is natural/normal. And so religion was invented as a kind of medication for this awful uncertainty. Meaning, Man created God is his, man's, image.

Joe Xuereb

Nov 21st 2012, 19:50

@julian caruana(Today, 08:58). If abortion is seen as curtailing a possible of a life, then so is any sexual act that's done simply for pleasure. Happens often in Malta I should imagine. This explains the Church's neurosis about contraception. Anti-abortionists are barking up the wrong tree.
@Mario Scicluna(Today, 11:07). Is being Maltese special in some way that has escaped me?

david debattista

Nov 21st 2012, 13:44

These Socialist are vindictive hypocrites , insulting , and discriminating . Looks like its time for you to eat your own words Saliba MD , after all Dr Tonio Borg nomination was approved !

Francis Saliba M.D.

Nov 21st 2012, 12:31

The EU Socialists asked for a written confirmation of clear declarations that Dr Tonio Borg had given orally and most publicly.
Dr T Borg acceeded to the insulting request when such signature had never been requested before.
Even after all the demands had been met the Socialists persisted in their unjust discrimination.
These Socialists are vindictive hypocrites not respecting human rights.

pat muscat

Nov 21st 2012, 12:10

Well, if one joins a club he should follow the rules, and read the small print very very carefully before joining: not after!

Mario Scicluna

Nov 21st 2012, 11:53

The usual PN apologists that roam around here on TOM really never cease to amaze me!

So if Tonio Borg's nomination is rejected, these have the gull to blame PL, PL MEPs(minfuq!!) . 'Tort taghkhom' they will say. However, IF Tonio Borg manages to scrape through, johorgu ikantaw vittorja u kull xorta ta' tghajjir u nsulti lejn PL ,'qed taraw xorta rnexxielna' , 'mhux bzonnkhom' etc!!

Alex Ellul

Nov 21st 2012, 11:43

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9686306/Primary-school-teachers-could-face-sack-for-refusing-to-promote-gay-marriage.html

This is what socialists are proposing NOW. Hence, there will not be any Christian teachers left in state, private and Christian schools in a few year's time. Maltese politicians please note ans please tell us, especially each election candidate where you stand..

Alex Ellul

Nov 21st 2012, 11:41

>>Liz Truss, an education minister, refused to rule out the possibility that teachers, even in faith schools, could face disciplinary action for objecting on grounds of conscience......
...Among his conclusions was that schools could be within their statutory rights to dismiss staff who wilfully fail to use stories or textbooks promoting same-sex weddings. << link provided in the next comment

Alfred Falzon

Nov 21st 2012, 11:22

D Socialists MEPs in d EU Parliament are a heterogeneous grouping, to each his/her own!

In Malta PL MPs in Gov, if elected, will only stick together as long as power is wielded to their heart's content or if they enjoy a comfortable majority!

Otherwise they are not all that different from their counterparts in Europe!

Romanticism is over and it's a rat race to d finish!

Alf A Falzon

Mary Ann Borg

Nov 21st 2012, 11:14

In the next 60 minutes we will all know the outcome. If Dr T Borg is not accepted, Malta and PN should really take a stand and refrain from putting forward another nominee. Let the Liberals and Progressive then shoulder the responsibility for the EU not having a health commissioner. Malta did its best and if he rejected then we should reject proposing another one.

Jurgen Farrugia

Nov 21st 2012, 11:09

This is why Socialist should never be trusted,because they do as they please when in power and not whats right. Even though they claim Dr.Borg is competent in this portofolio, they will not be voting for him.

Carl Callus

Nov 21st 2012, 10:49

How has Muscat spent his time while he was an MEP? Doesn't he have some close friends and isn't he able to muster some additional support? Or all this Labour help in the national interest is a political gimmick? Hard to believe that someone you states to be helping you doesn't even manage to convince 1/3 of his fellow colleagues.

Joseph Cauchi Senior

Nov 21st 2012, 10:49

I fully agree with Profs Edward Scicluna that this is very humiliating, as the pleas and arguments brought up by John Attard Montalto, Louis Grech and Edward Scicluna to their fellow Socialist comrades were ignored absolutely and not calculated at all!

Of course this is humiliating and how!

Should these MEPs continue forming part of the S&D group, after all this?

JC.

Mary Ann Borg

Nov 21st 2012, 10:48

This is what Liberal and Progressive is all about. This is what Joseph and his Lejber want Malta to become. Am no church fan at all, but this weird way of Liberal and Progressive thinking is what will become of Malta. Look at the EU Liberals and Progressive to learn what its all about. Useless beating around the bush. What is natural and normal will become a threat to these Liberals.

Matthew Scerri

Nov 21st 2012, 10:42

Black day for the EP prerogatives. Since 1979, the EP has been gaining competences with the EU institutional framework.However, what the Liberals,and now the Socialists, have done is the following: they have diminished the 'grilling' procedure's dimension.A priori, the Liberals decided to boycott Borg, even if they highlighted his competence in the area falling within his scope.

Andre Ellul

Nov 21st 2012, 10:38

Considering that Muscat spent a considerable amount of years with the Socialist EP corridors, one wonders what political clout Muscat has on European level. Even if Dr T. Borg is the infamous protagonist in this sage, this episode sheds light on how weak Muscat is when it comes to persuading people he worked with. A 2/3 majority simply ignored him, and he knew most of them personally....

A Spiteri

Nov 21st 2012, 10:38

Scicluna: 'A humiliating experience'...SERVES YOU WELL!!

labour should have never got involved into this...this is gonzi's mess!

Antoine Vella

Nov 21st 2012, 10:14

1.

Those who are commenting about "Europe" need to understand that the acceptance or otherwise of Commissioners is one of the very few occasions when the European Parliament has any say in what happens in the EU. Otherwise it's largely a talking shop with few powers hardly any public interest, reflected in low voters' turn-out: less than 50%.

George Cutajar

Nov 21st 2012, 09:57

The one certain thing from this whole affair is that Malta's Labour Party has no clout whatsoever with it's buddies in the EU.

Edward Demicoli

Nov 21st 2012, 09:57

Yes very humiliating indeed, to realise that FOUR socialist MEPs do not have enough clout in their own party to get a message across.

Mark. Galea

Nov 21st 2012, 09:30

Nisperaw li l-PL kien hallas il-mizata biex ikun membru tas-Socialist International !

Richard Mifsud

Nov 21st 2012, 09:17

It seems to be that some people are realizing that the way we do politics is way out dated on international level... Politics and religion should never go together and this is what happens when they do...

phyllis butler

Nov 21st 2012, 09:14

I think that the nomination of Dr. Tonio Borg was a foregone conclusion that he will not be accepted by certain Parties. I think that a European Commissioner should be monitored just like the others - why such 'Preferential Treatment'? Please give him a chance and if he does not 'Perform' then by all means 'Judge' him but not before he has even started serving his Term.

Alfred Falzon

Nov 21st 2012, 09:11

The FRONTEX debacle was the first sign of the EU's double dealings.

Then came the recession and the EU's so-called "bail-out" for member countries in the red...

And now, a posssible "intolerance in diversity"!!

Alfred A Falzon

Albert Farrugia

Nov 21st 2012, 09:10

There is no doubt Tonio Borg will be approved. He has the support of the PPE (271 seats), the conservatives (52) and Freedom and Democracy (34). Simple addition gives 357 votes for sure for Borg. Add to them the 4 Maltese Labour MEPs and you get 361 for Borg, 17 less then needed. Among the socialists, 26 voted for him in last night's meeting. That means 387 votes for Borg, a majority.

Mark Mangion

Nov 21st 2012, 09:09

Is this the EU of tolerance, multi culturalism and equality among its members irrespective of their size? What a disgrace and a bunch of hypocrites. Slowly the EU is becoming some sort of hegemonistic dinosaur with Barroso at its head and the direction it is taking is not as originally envisaged for a united Europe.

Lawrence Fenech

Nov 21st 2012, 09:07

Not even Barak Obama to become President of the United States of America had to go through what Tonio Borg is going through to become Commissioner of the EU.

Franco Attard Trevisan

Nov 21st 2012, 09:05

I think one third of the Socialist group votes should be enough for Borg to scrape through especially given that a few Liberals and Greens seem to be backing him.

24+271+52+34 = 381 which is a majority of 754 votes

Mr Tim Ripard

Nov 21st 2012, 09:05

@ Edward Scicluna. I understand your humiliation and that you are ignored within your own group in the EP. I see that on one of the rare occasions the PL shows - or pretends to show - some solidarity, it gets a kick up the backside from its brothers in socialism. Humiliating indeed. Hopefully you can make amends by persuading some of your socialist brethren to show some tolerance.

Tarcisio Bonello

Nov 21st 2012, 09:03

1. So the numbers (at best scenario are) 754 / 2 = 377 + 1 = 378 - 271 - 52 - 34 = 21. Are we saying that Dr. Borg cannot pull in 21 votes from the remaining MEP's ? 2. No Thanks goes to the Italian Socialists for not supporting Dr. Borg's Nomination, your friendship has been demonstrated in the best possible manner.

julian caruana

Nov 21st 2012, 08:58

if killing unborn children makes me a progressive person then i want to be huomo - sapiens. Quo Vadis Europe???

John iNGUANEZ

Nov 21st 2012, 08:57

Let's hope Dr Borg makes it. Those who claim they are liberals and want Europe under their hands. What if Bosnia-Herzegovina or Turkey become members, would they accept Muslims MEPs or a Muslim Commissioner. Do they have a right to reject a commissioner when one of their platform Abortion is not a human right? Do they have the right to reject a man whose human rights credentials are second to none

J Giardina

Nov 21st 2012, 08:55

See what happens when you sell out? He should have stuck to his values - throughout the questioning and not signed the letter. Now what do we have? Someone who sold his values for a position and is still getting rejected. What was Malta left with? Egg on her face. Borg should have said "this is what I believe - take it or leave it". Never sell out!

Mr Anthony Zarb

Nov 21st 2012, 08:54

It is always and only the big corporations who win the game. The tobacco lobby will never give in and they will use all manoeuvres to remove who stands in their way. Malta....please realise it is a lost battle. Maltese parties unite and arise against the European below the belt tactics. I am sorry for all Maltese at the moment.

Richard Galea

Nov 21st 2012, 08:54

What I cannot understand is why PL. supported Dr. Tonio Borg in the first place.

r c zammit

Nov 21st 2012, 08:42

What comes out as intolerant, in this whole affair, is not Malta but the so-called European progressive socialists and greens. The vote by the EP socialist group does not damage Malta's reputation but shames the socialist group. No wonder Edward Scicluna feels humiliated for being part of that group.

K. Vella

Nov 21st 2012, 08:39

Can the authorities release the John Dalli report?

This is damaging Malta's reputation and image.....

B. Storace

Nov 21st 2012, 08:35

I never realised that the tobacco lobby could exert so much power. If I was Tonio Borg I would tell them to stuff it.

Mr Anthony Zarb

Nov 21st 2012, 08:31

The only tolerance that Europe has is to abide by its rules. If you are moderate and pro-life, anti-euthanasia, anti-divorce, you are dead fish. The UK is the only country that has stood firm to Europe's abuses and will go out of this Tower of Babel. Malta get out. Have faith in God not Europe. God will provide a better 'club'...His own.

josephine CACHIA

Nov 21st 2012, 08:24

Se nergu naslu f punt fejn il Maltin ninghaqdu u jkollna niggieldu ghal pajjizna...JIEN MALTIJA MISKIN MIN JKASSBARNI MISKIN MIN JIDHAQ BIJJA...f kull sens min certu pajjizi ma ahna stmati xejn...gimgha ilu kont fuq cruise liner li jidhol fl isbah port ta pajjizna ...u kont ferm ddizzapuntata bl arroganza li t taljani jitrattawna..jindanaw jarawna nafu nitkelmu b lingwi differenti..u we got style.

rosanna ellul

Nov 21st 2012, 08:24

Malta's high moral standers are Not accepted in the EU. Europe is decaying rapidly, Just look at the results of the countries who have accepted Abortion.... Malta is blessed, Stay blessed and don't give in to such evil...

Owen Ellul

Nov 21st 2012, 08:23

Tonio Borg gave an excellent performance. Admitted by all. Some MEPs even said they had never seen such a good performance ever. And yet the Liberals, the left and a great majority of socialist MEPS will reject him for his personal views. What intolerance! Rejecting a competent commissioner designate for his beliefs! And the PL? They either are not competent persuaders or they did not really try.

Carmel (Nenu) Aquilina

Nov 21st 2012, 08:23

Dawn huma n-nies ta' l-Ewropa ta' Kajjin, ta' mingħajr valuri!

Jeffrey Mallia

Nov 21st 2012, 08:20

Now all of a sudden, reading the below comments, Europe and the rest of the world has no values .......and Malta is the most pure country in the universe............

Simon Ciantar

Nov 21st 2012, 08:16

This is yet another sign of EU Hypocrisy. I thought the EU was all about freedom of speech and personal opinions it seems its ok as long as your opinion agrees with the liberal and "modern view" this includes same sex marriages, abortion, same sex families raising children etc.. It seems we do not have the right to have a different opinion to these as otherwise we will be discriminated against!

Salvu Sciberras

Nov 21st 2012, 08:14

Whatever happens today, it is clear Arnold Cassola was right. Labour would claim to support Tonio Borg in Malta but in reality will not really try to influence the Socialist group. Otherwise how could it be that the Mlatese MEPs wish is defeated by a two-thirds majority?

twanny borg

Nov 21st 2012, 08:13

Malta taghmel zball jekk tibghat lil xi hadd iehor minflok ghax dr. borg kien kompetenti u b’hekk tkun accettat li huwa ma kienx. Hemm bzonn li malta ma tibqax tilghaq qiegh iz-zraben tal-barranin. Nispera li ma nippruvawx indahqu bir-rapport olaf u dan ghandu jintrema fiz-zibel wara kollox huma stess qalu li ma fihx provi. Nghid tal-misthija li kien hemm maltin li ghamlulu hsara.

scott brown

Nov 21st 2012, 08:10

i think that dr. borg will make it albeit with a small majority. the great looser in this saga is joseph muscat, the PL and it's four socialist meps. the vote of the socialists show how irrelevant joseph muscat and his meps are in the international arena. if they truely feel maltese and support dr. borg they should withdraw from the eu socialist block. Malta l-ewwel u qabel kollox' stands no more?

Anthony Scicluna

Nov 21st 2012, 08:07

1) the process is a democratic one and we should be proud to be part of it.

2) Dr Borg sticks to values. It is irrelevant that these values may not conform to all and sundry (I don't agree with Borg but praise him for being a value-oriented person).

3) certain EU MEPs don't appear to realise that their's is also a value laden judgement.

Does MLP have any values or is it just populist?

Mario Scicluna

Nov 21st 2012, 08:05

I sincerely hope that despite what will be the outcome of the vote for Tonio Borg as EU Commissioner today, appreciation is shown toward ALL MEPs , including those of PL, which has four MEPs and gave their utmost backing in the best interest of our nation!

Joseph Portelli

Nov 21st 2012, 08:03

Ma rnexxielhomx jikkonvincu lill-grupp taghhom stess fuq Kummissarju, ahseb u ara kemm se jikkonvincu lill-istituzzjoni kollha kemm hi fuq affarijiet ferm aktar importanti ghal Malta!!! x'differenza mill-Prim Ministru u l-Gvern prezenti u dak kollu li rnexxielhom igibu ghal Malta ghax ghandhom influwenza kbira fuq l-Unjoni Ewropea. Anke f'din il-haga, il-poplu Malti ghandu hafna x'jixtarr!

joseph green

Nov 21st 2012, 07:58

Ahjar umiljat , imma sod fil principji li inhaddan , u vera l Europa ma temminx fid diversita , nixtieq inkun naf jekk jidhlu it Turkija u jigri kaz bhal dan fejn involut ikun hemm xi musulman , kif jahsbuha dawk kollha li qedin kontra Tonio Borg , fejn 90% tal poplu malti huwa kontra l abbort.

Mario Scicluna

Nov 21st 2012, 07:56

I sincerely hope that despite what will be the outcome of the vote for Tonio Borg as EU Commissioner today, appreciation is shown toward ALL MEPs , including those of PL, which has four MEPs and gave their utmost backing in the best interest of our nation!

David Caruana

Nov 21st 2012, 07:56

The European Parliament (if it does) is not rejecting Malta. It is only rejecting an ultra-conservative Maltese.

I, as a Maltese liberal, will strengthen my trust in the European Union and its institutions if Tonio Borg is rejected.

Someone who uses his own lifestyle and beliefs as a measuring stick is not fit for public office, let alone as a Commissioner for all of Europe.

Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO

Nov 21st 2012, 07:55

Let us wait for the final vote before passing our judgement . Only 86 members of the European socialist group actually voted of which 4 were Maltese. This group includes 189 MEPs so only 45% of the members of this group actually voted and if only these vote it is only 38 net votes against the nomination of TB.

Joseph Mizzi

Nov 21st 2012, 07:55

Who is being intolerant? Tonio Borg who is willing to work with and even support those who have different ethical views, or the liberals who are rejecting him because he does not agree with theirs?

Ruth Muscat

Nov 21st 2012, 07:45

It doesn't mean that Malta is backward and intolerant. It means that Malta still has values diffrerent from Europe's. It shows the pathetic state of the EU.

Adrian Gouder

Nov 21st 2012, 07:45

LP seem to have little credibility within THEIR OWN EU PARTY.
Also, considering EU Socialists' arguments on freedom of speech and opinion, they are themselves immutably intollerant to other people's opinions. Shame on you Euro-Socialists. Shame on you ten times over.

Joe Brincat-LL.D

Nov 21st 2012, 07:44

Wait until these highly paid MEPs vote. Possibly the decision might depend on absentees, as the MEPs may be busy elsewhere, even enjoying themselves far away from the Chamber.

And what about those present ? The vote is secret, so who knows.

Gordon Borg

Nov 21st 2012, 07:41

ahjar jaraw kif igibu ix xoghol lejn l ewropa l mp's milli mehdijin jiddiskutu il gays u lesbjani,halluna flus ta xejn qed jiehdu mit taxxi tal fqir..............

Neville Cutajar

Nov 21st 2012, 07:39

Mela Keccew lil Dalli, issa ma jridux lil Borg. U il PM ma qabisx ghal Dalli u ma qal xejn ghal kif qed jigi trattat Borg. Ma nistax nifhem ghaliex nibqghu nilaqu !!

Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO

Nov 21st 2012, 07:36

Perhaps many are now realizing that the EU is not a utopian heaven on earth. We also have to realize that many in the EU still see us as a backward bigoted people on the margins of Europe. Shows us how important it is to stick together as a Maltese nation when dealing with the EU which to our credit we do. Finally taking on the tobacco lobby is like challenging the jewish lobby in Washington.

Paul Bajada

Nov 21st 2012, 07:32

I do not understand the negative reaction of many Nationalists here. They are blaming the PL MEPs for not doing enough or being incompetent at convincing the Socialist MEPs to help Tonio Borg.

I believe that Tonio Borg should be elected on his own merit not because of the lobbying from PL.

What have the PN MEPs done for Joseph Cuschieri to take his rightful place as MEP? Nothing!

joseph green

Nov 21st 2012, 07:32

We should go out of the European Union immediatly , once and for all.

paul camilleri

Nov 21st 2012, 07:12

what else would the Swedes vote? oh come on you dont think that a simple writen statement is going to change their views? as we seen countless of times in Eurovision the Scandinavians stick together and they are doing it here because Swedens product smokeless product would remain BANNED in Europe and because of this they are loosing billions in revenue.

P. D. Azzopardi

Nov 21st 2012, 07:12

M`ahna kredibbli ma hadd... gharukaza.

John Scerri

Nov 21st 2012, 07:07

What a world we live in .
Spain - Never seen so much unemployment figures ,austerity measures in ages.
Italy - Never seen so much unemployment,austerity measures, street protests, in ages.
Scandinavia - High suicide rates,very expensive cost of living, values down the drain.

How glad I am to reside and earn my living in Malta like many foreigners are doing.

Viva Malta.

Richard Caruana

Nov 21st 2012, 06:55

Very obvious that the MLP/PL or whatever they call themselves lately are a nonentity within their group.

If Labour MEPs feel so strongly about this the same way Prof Scicluna does, they should leave the socialist group and find another home.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Nov 21st 2012, 06:40

Up to now the Euopean Commission cannot be considered as "opposing Gonzi PN" only because the nomination of Dr T Borg was a joint decision of both the Nationalist Party and the Labour Party. It is a slap in the face of our parliament, the whole Maltese nation and to the universal fundamental human right not to be discriminated against because of the public observance of the Catholic religion.

Mehdi Klein

Nov 21st 2012, 06:21

I always believe this professor scicluna who taught me economics at the University. If he says Malta as the most backward and intolerant in europe do you think i still have to believe him? I remember the pigeonhole in the university department where we put our project assignments.

Anthony Paul Naudi

Nov 21st 2012, 05:35

x'vilta' Hekk jittrattaw lil Maltin fl-E.U.?. Swoboda ma ghandux sens ta'rispett lejn il-bniedem meta jghid li ser izomm lil Tonio Borg taht ghassa kontinwa. Dawn il-kwalita'ta' stqarrijiet aktar jikkonvincuni li fil-Parlament ewropew hemm element qawwi ta'komunizmu sfrenat. La gejna trattati hekk allura Malta mhux postha ma dan il-kwalita ta imbarazz.

A.P.Naudi

Anthony Dalli

Nov 21st 2012, 05:24

Profs -

"Condescendingly Malta pigeon-holed"
What did you have in mind has the EU - arrogantly, disdainfully, patronizingly or humbly pigeon-holed Malta?

Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti

Nov 21st 2012, 04:28

So what happens to the deputy leadership if Borg is not nominated? Debono will have a field day.

Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti

Nov 21st 2012, 04:18

Muscat made it clear on Xarabank that it was the PM's prerogative to select the Commissioner and he supported the PM's decision because it was in the country's best interest, its best interest being that Malteses support other Maltese. Anyone who thinks that Muscat would have nominated Borg must have rocks in their head.

Anthony Pace Gouder

Nov 21st 2012, 04:12

This humiliation and a possible rejection of the Hon. Tonio Borg has only the Gonzi lead Conservative group and the party admin, to blame , particularly for the way the PN mismanaged the Divorce issue . They did not hesitate to vote against the wish of their own people's Absolute Majority in favour of a worldwide recognized Civil Right !........and the EU MPs seem to know this quite well .

Luke Bonello

Nov 21st 2012, 04:04

Could someone please explain to me how 62 against and 24 in favour add up to the 189 votes the S&D have.................. simple maths tells me that only 1/3 of the group voted against.........

Charles Bayliss

Nov 21st 2012, 03:48

Dr Scicluna, let's at the moment forget Malta's position, unlike Dr Tonio Borg, neither Dr Joe Borg nor Mr John Dalli went through this hassle because they kept their views on the matter of objections to themselves and were never influenced by them in their political career, something which cannot be said for Dr Tonio Borg because it is on record that he used his own personal believes to influence

Francis Attard

Nov 21st 2012, 03:21

Liberals are destroying humanity.

effie stafrace

Nov 21st 2012, 02:38

in a recent political talk show arnold cassola said that 22 swedish meps forming part of the ppe will vote against dr tonio borg.later this was rebutted by mr simon busutill.

A. Sultana

Nov 21st 2012, 02:07

If tomorrow he's going to be voted against then be it. At least he held up to his values till the end.

What makes Tonio Borg a better man than all those who will vote against because of his beliefs? The fact that he respects their beliefs while they do not.

Gorg Sciberras

Nov 21st 2012, 01:52

I wonder who Dr Gonzi will nominate if Dr Borg is not voted in. It's not like there are many experienced liberal options in the pn side of the house.

Elvin Muscat

Nov 21st 2012, 01:05

Europe seems to be predominantly atheist, and we're allowing the European union to replace our values and belief. Very sad day indeed.

Alex Ellul

Nov 21st 2012, 00:41

European socialists have overruled Joe Muscat's missives to approve our Maltese delegate. Joe Muscat is, in the Socialist group's eyes, just a nothing. The euro-socialist group thinks that we Maltese are a backward lot. Socialist are an insulting lot and we should not take it lying down, We should castigate socialists wherever they may be including locally. Local socialists should be ashamed of..

Mark Piscopo

Nov 21st 2012, 00:30

Jekk l-24 Mep Socjalista jivvutaw favur in-Nomina ta' Borg xorta jitla bi 3 voti peress li huwa kull ma ghandu bzonn 21. Ser tkun touch and go!!

Joe Xuereb

Nov 21st 2012, 00:20

@m.borg (slm)(Today, 21:55). Some embarrassment could be useful if it lifts one out of pseudo-piety. One commenter even said that Malta in EU was welcome as a teacher of Christian values. Another vilifies humanists and nihilists, IN THE SAME BREATH. Is it any wonder that Maltese 'culture' is getting a knock from up North?
Malta outside the EU would be unique. For what? It's a leading question.

Mark Muscat

Nov 20th 2012, 23:54

If you call someone 'black', 'gay' or say you're against divorce and abortion then you discriminate........if you call someone 'white', or do not accept catholics and their views then there's nothing wrong and you call others they are discriminating!?!?!

Gordon Cardona

Nov 20th 2012, 23:54

Waqa ghac-cajt Joseph Muscat wahda sew. Hu jghid haga u s-Socjalisti fil-Parlament Ewropew jaghmlu haga ohra. L-anqas biss taw kasu fuq xi haga li ghanda x'taqsam direttament ma' Malta. Hekk ser jitrattawh is-Socjalisti Ewropej meta jkun Prim Ministru? Ara vera m'ghandhomx biex jahdmu l-Partit Laburista. Dawn irriduni nivvutalhom? L-anqas biss tghaddili minn mohhi.

John Farrugia

Nov 20th 2012, 23:42

Do I believe that Joseph Muscat will persuade the EU to help us on migration? No. Do I believe that Joseph Muscat will further Malta's interest in the EU? No. He doesn't even hold sway among his Socislist comrades let alone over Prime Minister coming from other political families. Joseph Muscat is not prime ministerial material. The faster we understand this, the better for our country.

George Camilleri

Nov 20th 2012, 23:41

It's not the time for petty arguments. Though the PL supported TB's nomination, unfortunately it could turn out that it wasn't enough. This was a time for Maltese unity, and Malta's Greens failed miserably; their destiny is the scrapheap of history. The EU itself has been hijacked by aggressive atheists who are intent on creating an amoral European desert. We must resist be being the opposite.

Ms Sylvia Zammit

Nov 20th 2012, 23:34

Backward because we still value life?! In that case, I'd rather be percieved as backward!

John Farrugia

Nov 20th 2012, 23:31

Today the socialists have shown us what a hopeless lot they are. They say that Tonio Borg is highly competent for the job but they can't vote him in because they don't share his views. I ask since when did the European Poltical groups decide not to vote for a commissioner-designate simply becuase they don't share his/her views? EPP voted for a good number of socialists and liberals in the past.

C Sant

Nov 20th 2012, 23:29

When each of these countries shall come for some bailout or other, we can just tell them to go and eat cake! Maybe that will start another revolution in each of them!

Bernard Borg

Nov 20th 2012, 23:17

Do the Socialists know that Joseph Muscat has been backing Tonio Borg all along? I wonder. Joseph Muscat is completely and utterly unreliable. In Malta he says he is in favour of the nomination of Tonio Borg and in Brussels he fails to persuade his fellow Socialists. It pains to think that this man will represent me in the Council of the EU. When he raises his finger no one cares to listen.

Alfred Gatt

Nov 20th 2012, 23:10

This is sheer envy and jealousy on the part of those who will vote against him tomorrow. These are the ones who are backward and intolerant, not pigeoned-holed Malta as was described by Dr Scicluna.To be in favour of life is to be the most progressive nation.

Peter Agius

Nov 20th 2012, 23:09

What goes round comes round. How very true. It all came round for Tonio Borg because of somethings he said in the past. BUT I can assure you that todays vote will also come round in the not so very distant future. Au revoir.

Joseph Aquilina

Nov 20th 2012, 23:08

I have said this once, and I'll say it again. Tonio Borg should consider to sue the EU parliament for discrimination because clear as day light this is discrimination by LIBERALS and SOCIALISTS against a person simply because this person is Roman Catholic with Christian values!! They have done all they could to break him, and seeing they did not succeed they decided to not accept him. Sue them.

George Cutajar

Nov 20th 2012, 23:04

Either Labour has no clout with it's counterparts in the EU or some hidden hand was hard at work.

As for humiliation or otherwise I think it is more humiliating for Labour than for anyone else. Like the local greens or home-grown reds form part of intolerant groups who believe that only they are correct in their views.

Ms Maria Vella

Nov 20th 2012, 22:58

I for one was very much in favour of the EU and what it stood for and knowing Malta due to its size needed some sort of support but what is happening here is appalling. Why are we so tolerant towards other religions who want to impose their beliefs but where Catholicism is concerned we get a stone wall? Shame

Joseph Aquilina

Nov 20th 2012, 22:58

From EDWARD SCICLUNA comments I understand Malta position in the EU under lejber; It will be the EU position with NO Malta at all; because lejber is ashamed of us Maltese!! Lejber is ashamed of our Christian values and is afraid to loose face with the other big boys; SOCIALISTS and LIBERALS. In other words, for lejber the EU SOCIALISTS are more important then the Maltese in Malta!!

Joseph Aquilina

Nov 20th 2012, 22:56

Are Edward Scicluna comments what Joseph muscat meant from support. Personally it is clear that lejber is full of people NOT PROUD TO BE MALTESE!!

This should be an eye opener to all Maltese; SOCIALIST cannot be trusted because from one side that say they favor human rights, and then, just a second afterwards they act against one of the most basic human right being religious intolerant.

Eddy Privitera

Nov 20th 2012, 22:56

Who was it who had assured the Maltese people that we would be equal to all the rest of EU member states because we will be sitting around the same table? Remember ?? And that other joke: " Our sovereignty will be strengthened because we will be sharing it with much bigger countries " ! Dr. Simon Busuttil surely remembers, since he had said this too !

Keith Chircop

Nov 20th 2012, 22:55

I like Edward Scicluna's quote: "Condescendingly Malta pigeon-holed as the most backward and intolerant in Europe. This as a positive reason why EP should approve Borg."

Is he using Google Translate?

Joseph Micallef

Nov 20th 2012, 22:53

Id-Dott mar għal l-eżami ta' l-orali u falla. U miegħu falla lill-pajjiżna u lill-poplu. Prosit Toninu Borġ. Qiegħed nistħajlek il-kantanti tal-eurovision, dejjem jinżlu lura b'idejhom vojta. Għallinqas dawk ikollhom kompetizzjoni ta' diversi pajjiżi. Inti kont waħdek!

George Cremona

Nov 20th 2012, 22:51

Were it not the Socialist group among others that had requested Tonio Borg to sign a declaration clarifying his position to put their mind at rest on seven querries? He did sign it and yet they went back on their word. Why? I have serious doubts that there is a hidden agenda at the centre of this tragic comedy,the procrastination of the tobacco reform. Are the 60 million euros still on board?

Mr Evan Camilleri

Nov 20th 2012, 22:47

If not approved the PP should reject all liberal commissioner in future.

Joseph Micallef

Nov 20th 2012, 22:46

Well done for GonziPN - Not even the European Union is believing GonziPN! He had an opportunity to present a credible candidate and the best one presented failed the credibility test - this is the truth, the wholly truth. What if Lawrence Gonzi nominated himself for this position? What would we the repercussions had he failed the test in the EU?

The writing is just on the wall

Andy Farrugia

Nov 20th 2012, 22:39

The nihilists, humanists, common delinquents, pseudo -liberals , Greens and die-hard Socialists of Maoist and Stalinist extraction have sounded the death-knell of the EU. Rejoice, people, this house of muck and mire, sleaze and slime, which murders its own future generations has shown its true colours. De Gasperi, Adenauer, and Schumann are turning in their graves.

David Garragher

Nov 20th 2012, 22:37

Have you had a look around Malta? Why would Malta be doing much better? Have you had a look in the "happy" index where Malta is nr 101 and Sweden for example around nr. 3-5? These countries have at least the insight to understand that they have difficulties and are working hard do something about it :)

Lino A Catania

Nov 20th 2012, 22:34

Told you on the first day of this saga.... They will not trust us with serving coffee...
Our success story in Europe ends here... We are now less equal then others...

Antonio Pace

Nov 20th 2012, 22:32

And the MLP expects us to trust them to negotiate in Europe on our behalf. Not even capable to get their allies on their side!

Matthew Sant

Nov 20th 2012, 22:29

How come such narrow minded people have these kind of important roles! we need new blood with fresh pumped oxygen in their head.

C Sant

Nov 20th 2012, 22:25

These progressive Europeans should realise that over 70% of today's European problems are due to the loss of real social values as opposed to opportunistic and selfish ones! Good luck to Europe - Unfortunately, we are living next to this evil giant and we have to at least use its economical connections - this is one of the few remaining good points!

Paul Camilleri

Nov 20th 2012, 22:19

Tonio Borg should learn to live and let live. What he said in the past is now haunting him.

C Sant

Nov 20th 2012, 22:19

For a country that is "Condescendingly Malta pigeon-holed as the most backward and intolerant in Europe.", we are doing much better than the progressive Spain (with its 25% unemployment and complete disaster, Italy, with its economical, financial and social disaster, corrupt, mafia infiltrated society and Sweden, with its high suicide rates, looming social problems and high rate of alcoholism!

DR EMMANUEL BEZZINA,MA,MAG.JUR.[EU Law],LL.D.,

Nov 20th 2012, 22:18

This country has long rejected divine lights that paved the way for this double-standard country to absorb the true ways of logical humanity: let this be a lesson that we might believe that we can fool ourselves but outside these shores it is clear that we are assessed for what we indeed are: REFLECT & CONDEMN NOT.

Ramon Mangion

Nov 20th 2012, 22:17

The PL already made it clear that it supported Dr. Borg's nomination, and therefore comments blaming the PL are senseless. We are now speaking about democracy at European Level and not our Maltese bi partisan politics. The European parliament is not made only by socialists and conservatives, but there are also other parties who did not want to support Dr. Borg's nomination. This is democraacy

Ivan Falzon

Nov 20th 2012, 22:15

It's all the 4 PL MEP's fault !!!
We live in a democracy and i would have been very surprised if these 4 managed to convince all the socialists.
The PN should have been more careful and sent someone without any baggage.

Salvino Giusti

Nov 20th 2012, 22:12

Salvino Giusti

Prolongation and further procrastination on the final resolution of this issue benefits only the tobacco industry whose armada of lobbyists would be all out tomorrow before the vote is taken, to secure, in subtle and discreet ways, negative votes or at least the favour of an abstention from among the members of all political groupings in the European Parliament

Marija Falzon

Nov 20th 2012, 22:06

Let's wait and see what happens tomorrow, before we start shooting each other to death

Oliver Grech

Nov 20th 2012, 22:05

So 2 PN MEPs convinced 271 members, 4 LP MEPs convinced 24 members...prosit eh. I have my doubts how much the LP really was in favour....if not they must really lack negotiating skills.

Paddy Cool

Nov 20th 2012, 22:04

Tonio is being punished for being catholic that's my opinion

Alfred Falzon

Nov 20th 2012, 22:03

How humiliating for Malta.

Paul Gauci

Nov 20th 2012, 22:02

Serves him right. Adios tyrannosaurus Borg!!

Antonia Vella

Nov 20th 2012, 22:01

this is nothing to do with PL. We have to accept the fact that Malta with its values and morality is far behind the whole europe and they look at us like we are mediocre. This is a lesson for us because many of us treat this way arabs and muslims, we have to learn to accept their cultures

N Zahra

Nov 20th 2012, 22:00

For everyone who needs it, here's a quick refresher of democracy. Tonio Borg is a candidate to be commissioner who needs to be elected by MEP's. If an MEP feels that TB's views does not represent his own, then he will not vote for him. It's nothing to do with discrimination. It's plain, normal democracy. The current system doesn't cater for a fait accompli to nominate a commissioner.

Josephine Borg

Nov 20th 2012, 21:45

What goes around comes around that what it is ... If you shout or act discriminatively towards any minority group you are out or get sued!! Look and learn people!!

Melvyn Mifsud LLD

Nov 20th 2012, 21:44

I still believe that he should make it ... and have a hunch he still will.

Noel Abela

Nov 20th 2012, 21:44

How very correct was Alfred Sant in all he predicted with regards to Malta as a member of the EU.

David Farrugia

Nov 20th 2012, 21:43

Eventually all the scenes we've seen during the divorce campaign, al with weeping Madonnas and voting according to conscience have come back to haunt the party in government. Although I deem Dr. Tonio Borg as totally capable of the Commissioner post, the Europeans do not take such things lightly. These past days we have seen this candidate in total conversion of values.

Noel Abela

Nov 20th 2012, 21:42

Now blame it on the PL anything that goes wrong its Joseph's fault. How very convenient.

Josephine Borg

Nov 20th 2012, 21:41

What goes around comes around that what it is ... Look and learn people!!

Joseph Portelli

Nov 20th 2012, 21:41

Skont il-laburisti tonio borg bilfors kellu jivvota favur id-divorzju fil-parlament - skont il-laburisti tonio borg bilforsi irid jaqbel maz-zwieg tal-gays - skond il-laburisti bilfors li kattoliku jrid imur kontra l-valuri li jemmen fihom!!

Martin Saliba

Nov 20th 2012, 21:40

According to these numbers and those quoted by simon busitill TB needs only another 21 votes from the S&D group .

Michael Spiteri

Nov 20th 2012, 21:40

I remember I remember when I was promised that our tiny Island will be on the EU negotiating table with the big bullies. I was told how the EU wanted us in so they could benefit and learn from our humble Christian values. No one ever suggested to me before the accession referendum that political groups in the EU parliament could humiliate our country in this manner.

Ms.D. Galea

Nov 20th 2012, 21:39

Herod, Nero and Caligula would have been considered as ideal EU commissioners if one had to go by the argumentation against Dr. Borg's nomination..

jm busuttil

Nov 20th 2012, 21:35

A blow for Tonio Borg but I must say that it will also be a blow for the PL in Malta as they were not capable to convince ( if they ever wanted) their own partners in the EU.

How can they ever convince these same partners if they will be governing this country.

mark borg

Nov 20th 2012, 21:34

lanqas haqq kemm dam jilaq u jiffirma karti

mark borg

Nov 20th 2012, 21:32

decisjoni ohra hazina u bla sens ta Gonzi...mal ghexieren l-ohrajn !
ps...viva l-unioni ewropea !

Raymond Sammut

Nov 20th 2012, 21:28

A huge blow! Wow.

josephine CACHIA

Nov 20th 2012, 21:27

Jien kont wahda milli ivutajt kontra E U..u f dal jiem qed nikkonferma kemm kelli raguni validi...hasra li hafna min dawk li kienu kontra f daqqa wahda saru favur EU...EHH X JAGHMLU IL FLUS..

josephine CACHIA

Nov 20th 2012, 21:26

Jien kont wahda milli ivutajt kontra E U..u f dal jiem qed nikkonferma kemm kelli raguni validi...hasra li hafna min dawk li kienu kontra f daqqa wahda saru favur EU...EHH X JAGHMLU IL FLUS..

Charles Vassallo

Nov 20th 2012, 21:25

Pray I ask you, should I laugh or should I cry at such idiotic comments below. How typical of us locals, so full of double standards and HDURA. Such a sad collection of comments made by true christians....

Wake up and face reality you sad people who only see shades of red or blue....

....It's not the end of the world you know...

A. Gauci Cunningham

Nov 20th 2012, 21:24

...further to my comments....if Gonzi is the great European statesman a handful of voters make him out to be couldn't he have possibly seen this coming? Or was he more interested in vacating the Deputy Leadership in Pieta for obvious electoral reasons? Dalli was also Catholic but noone batted an eyelid...Tonio Borg on the other hand made himself a career out of blocking rights for minorities!

Mr Paul Galea

Nov 20th 2012, 21:24

"voicing opposition to the Maltese nominee for his personal views, despite having been praised for his competence for the responsibilities he was assigned."

If this is not DISCRIMINATION, then what is?

The European Union is becoming a very dangerous place to be part of, if it is governed by such persons who do not tolerate anyone who is different from themselves.

John Attard

Nov 20th 2012, 21:22

Labour Party will be happy that Dr Tonio Borg was not succeed but you will lose the Election as you are the party of hatred and violence. So your place will be still in oppostion for more years to caom as the Maltese people wants Serhan il-mohh u kef qeghdin nafu u kif ha jkunu nafux .

Doreen Rizzo

Nov 20th 2012, 21:21

GonziPN baghat lil wiehed mill-aktar nies polemici f'ghajnejn l-Ewropej. Ivvota kontra d-divorzju wara li l-poplu Malti f'referendum ivvota favurih. Ghadda kummenti kontra xejn sbieh fuq il-koppji gay...

Imbaghad hawn erba' ghorrief hawn u qed iwahhlu f'Joseph Muscat.

Daqt jehel Joseph ukoll li niezla x-xita...

Alexander Genuis

Nov 20th 2012, 21:17

X'Ghandhu x'jaqsam JM u l-PL,kif dejjem Tridu twahhlu ghall kollox lill PL!!!!Il-PL appoggja n-nomina ta Tonio Borg u issa Hu se Jigi Gudikat fuq li qal Hemm u li Qal hawn!!!!!!!Kif imma twahhlu fil-PL???Mela insejna kemm Frahna u qbizna ghax se Nsiru Ewropa wahda?Parti mill-Ewropa???????Ma Rajnix kif trattaw lis-Sur Dalli?It-tort ta JM u l-PL ukoll????Daqshekk demokratika l-Eu!!!!!!!

George Cutajar

Nov 20th 2012, 21:16

Now why am I not at all surprised? Reds will always be reds.

John B. Borg

Nov 20th 2012, 21:13

The few comments submitted by Nationalists to attack Labour and Joseph MUscat are disgusting. Labour supported Tonio Borg without reservations and the four Labour MEP' did their job to lobby for his acceptance. The problem and responsibility rests on Lawrence Gonzi only. He should have nominated another person with a less controversial past. So please do not blame Labour for Gonzi's latest mess,

A. Gauci Cunningham

Nov 20th 2012, 21:11

This is not about Muscat and his influence. Tonio Borg's "values" do not represent those of the Socialists, Greens and Liberals and unlike us MEPs are not sheep which owe us a living. That's the way democracy works in the EU. MEPs tend to vote for people who represent their values. All this brouhaha about Tonio Borg HAVING to get voted in, as if the EU revolves around us, is a load of crap!!

Paul Bajada

Nov 20th 2012, 21:07

GonziPN is bankrupt from all angles! It has tarnished Malta's image and no one trust us now. This government has sent our country 100 years back.

Shame on you PN. Shame on you Gonzi. Shame on you all Nationalists whose personal interests where more important than our country.

Shame on you all those who now try to blame the PL. You have a dirty cheek to even dream of blaming the PL.

Mr.W Cassar

Nov 20th 2012, 21:06

The PN knew there were going to be problems with Tonio's nomination, so they can't point fingers.

Its not about being a catholic its about what Tonio Borg has publicly said in the past that is the problem. Dalli was catholic and he had no problems in getting the post.

Just send someone with less baggage, and get on with it... no drama needed.

Alfred Falzon

Nov 20th 2012, 21:06

The real face of the EU will soon be shown in its proper perspective, but let's wait and see!

Alfred A Falzon

Mark Anthony Fenech

Nov 20th 2012, 21:04

It amuses me how some Nationalists commenting here are shifting the blame for this 'debacle' on Joseph Muscat and the Labour Party.

Malcolm Seychell

Nov 20th 2012, 21:02

Get out of the EUSSR... Europe is not democratic. You have to agree with its mad values to be welcome..

Joseph Portelli

Nov 20th 2012, 20:59

We should resign from the European Union!! I should imagine if it was a Muslim instead of a Catholic what would happen! Shame on you EU. I was one who voted in favour of Malta joining the EU. I am so disappointed. I hope that tomorrow the majority of the MEP's vote in favour of Tonio Borg. I wonder what the four Socialist MEP's did! Two Nationalist MEP's persauded so many in the PPE...

A Spiteri

Nov 20th 2012, 20:58

a blow not just for Tonio Borg, but above all for Gonzi and Muscat!

Antonio Pace

Nov 20th 2012, 20:50

That's how much Muscat is influential with the European Socialists!

James Dimech

Nov 20th 2012, 20:49

4 Labour MEPs and they are not even able to convince their political party to vote in favour of Malta's nominee,

Joseph Muscat's Labour is useless. All bluff, no substance. Basta hadu 4 siggijiet minhabba l-kontijiet tad-dawl u tal-ilma

Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti

Nov 20th 2012, 20:49

Whatever the outcome, the PN will look shoddy.