PN MEP David Casa has raised concerns about EU Court of Auditors nominee Leo Brincat’s support for Minister without Portfolio Konrad Mizzi, while Mr Brincat has refused to speak about his chances ahead of Monday’s grilling on his suitability for the role.
Mr Brincat will face questions from MEPs forming part of the budgetary committee about his background and qualifications for the role.
Contacted, Mr Casa, who is the PN’s head of delegation to the European Parliament, pointed out that the Court of Auditors was set up to fight fiscal corruption.
“It may prove difficult to explain why he chose to defend a man strongly suspected of corruption and money laundering,” Mr Casa said when asked about potential stumbling blocks to Mr Brincat’s nomination.
Mr Brincat was nominated for the role after Malta’s previous nominee, Toni Abela, was rejected in a committee vote in March, leading him to withdraw his nomination shortly after.
Asked for his concerns ahead of Monday’s non-binding vote, Mr Brincat said he will be refraining from making any political statements or comments.
Concerns were raised by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat that the PN may try to hinder Mr Brincat’s bid. Mr Casa said he had organised meetings with Mr Brincat and the relevant MEPs forming part of the European People’s Party, the political group that the PN belongs to in the European Parliament.
“Irrespective of these meetings, however, securing the support of MEPs will be dependent predominantly on Mr Brincat’s performance during the hearing on Monday. Only he has control over that,” Mr Casa said.
Questioned about potential stumbling blocks to Mr Brincat’s nomination, Mr Casa said he expected the nominee’s support for Dr Mizzi in a recent no confidence vote to feature prominently.
“MEPs have access to information and media reports from all member states. They will be very well aware of the scandalous situation that Malta finds itself in, following the Panama Papers leak. The Court of Auditors was set up to fight fiscal corruption,” Mr Casa said.
Another recent local controversy with a European dimension was the potential appointment of Alfred Mifsud to the governorship of the Central Bank of Malta amidst corruption allegations.
Mr Mifsud informed the Prime Minister on Tuesday that he does not wish to be considered for the post of bank governor, though he has stayed on as deputy governor. Asked if this could be an issue during Mr Brincat’s grilling, Mr Casa said the case does not reflect well on the Prime Minister and the government in general.
“It is very likely that MEPs will be aware of the allegations. Whether they decide to raise the issue with Mr Brincat remains to be seen.
“I have no knowledge of whether it will be raised or not,” Mr Casa said.