Tonio Borg's approval by the European Parliament and the margin of votes in his favours signifies that the start of his European adventure ended well. 386 MEPs voted in favour and 281 voted against. Dr Borg did not scrape through as was predicted. He graciously sailed through.
It was a bumpy ride; perhaps more like a roller-coaster. Yesterday's negative twist with the decision of the Socialist Party threatened to send Malta back to the drawing board. Europe would have been the loser. Fortunately this was not to be.
I was particularly struck by the comments of the Prime Minister, the European People's Party and MEP Simon Busuttil as published in this news portal. Let me group together the words and phrases they used to describe the victory of Tonio Borg: a victory of common sense over prejudice and intolerance; a victory of reason over intolerance and ideological partisanship; recognition of the competence, seriousness and integrity of Dr Borg.
These comments are of two kinds. Some highlight the core European values; others are of a personal nature. Had the nomination of Tonio Borg been quashed a very negative signal would have been made. It would have been a sign that this is not a Europe based on diversity but on intolerance.
Some made a song and a dance about the written statement that Tonio Borg made on the request of European party leaders. It was a strategic move that paid good dividend and I believe it was a move worth making. Quite naturally when one discusses tactics and strategy opinion always differ.
However it is pertinent to note that the declaration in no way impinges on the values that Tonio has always defended in his private and public life. Those who are saying that the declaration of Dr Borg in any way signals a compromise on abortion are speaking hogwash. The statement was very well written and as is always the case with such statements it is the words judiciously used that count; not the fancy interpretation.
The election of Tonio Borg showed the political maturity of the country. It is positive that Government and Opposition worked so well together. I had discussed the work of the Maltese Labour MEPs with John Attard Montalto. He explained how much he and his colleagues worked in favour of the acceptance of Tonio by the European socialists.
The untiring efforts of Simon Busuttil and David Casa paid good dividends at the end. They spared no energy and left no stone unturned.
Tonio Borg will surely make us proud.