Brussels has been overwhelmed by applications from Maltese hoping to land the job of European Commission head in Malta.

A Commission official directly involved in the selection process said dozens of applications were submitted for the post vacated by Joanna Drake almost a year ago. “This means it will take much more time for us to sift through the applicants and conduct the necessary interview in order to be sure the right candidate fits the post.”

Although the Commission is refusing to divulge the number of applications received after the call closed at the end of September, it is known that almost 50 Maltese applicants sent their CVs to Brussels.

The applicants include high ranking officials in the civil service, including individuals occupying the posts of ambassadors, permanent secretaries and directors general.

“In other member states, we normally have few applicants for such posts. However, Malta turned out to be an exception as it seems the job on offer is very attractive for the Maltese,” the official said.

The €85,000 annual salary that comes with the job is one of the main attractions, even though it is €40,000 below the figure earned by Dr Drake when she became the first Maltese Head of Representation soon after Malta’s EU accession in 2004.

Though the selection is considered to follow the normal EU recruitment process, both the government and the Maltese commissioner in Brussels are normally consulted before the final selection is made.

Meanwhile, the selection of four new EU deputy directors general from the new member states is also progressing steadily. Malta has been earmarked as one of the member states which should be allocated one of the two most senior jobs in the Commission’s hierarchy.

Sources close to the recruitment process said a Maltese woman occupying a director general’s post in Malta’s civil service was being mentioned as favourite to take on the post in Brussels. The post carries a basic annual salary of €180,000.