The spin is that Tonio Borg’s nomination for European Commissioner is being portrayed as a holy crusade against the liberal European agenda. Dr Borg’s success would thus symbolise a victory for Maltese patriotism.
The spin goes that those who oppose Borg’s nomination are the ultimate enemy, who do not wish Malta to succeed, and are therefore being labelled as threatening extremists, bullies and bigots using moral violence.
I wish to make a sober analysis of what is happening.
Just to give an example, the Greens who are opposing the nomination of Borg were totally in favour of the Catholic Romano Prodi as President of the European Commission, and even Jacques Santer before him.
They highly respected both politicians for separating personal beliefs from political action. On the other hand, the Greens rejected the nomination of Rocco Buttiglione, a staunch Catholic.
What is the difference then? The former politicians wanted to promote a European identity whereas the latter wanted to impose his own personal world view on Europe.
And the fear is that Borg will do the same.
His performance at the hearing was admirable, but at the end of the day Borg has been a Maltese MP for 20 years and pandered to an ultra-conservative base.
Indeed, even Buttiglione’s defenders have resorted to the rhetorical hyperbole of crusades against Catholic values and of ‘extreme atheism threats’ and other exaggerated distortions.
The Greens, among others, wanted further reassurances that Borg as commissioner will be able to distinguish between Church and state. By my standards, that does not constitute moral violence.
It is ironic, therefore, to conclude that the extremists in the European Parliament are opposing Dr Borg for his Catholic values. Instead they are only ensuring that the best possible candidates are nominated.
This clearly shows that the loony left, as these have been labelled, are not out for Catholic blood, but want to make sure that every European commissioner abides fully by European norms and values.
Borg will not represent the 400,000 Maltese citizens in the commission.
He will represent 500 million European citizens. It seems many are forgetting this basic tenet.