Time is running out for Malta to nominate its member on the European Court of Auditors after the island ignored the November deadline set by the Council of the EU to propose a name.
Council sources said Malta, the odd one out from nine member states that had to make their nomination, had been given a second deadline - until the end of this month - to make up its mind.
This is the second time an EU institution is waiting for the smallest member state to move forward with the bureaucratic process of appointing new members. In December, the island was the last from the EU27 to nominate its Commissioner-designate.
Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic have already submitted their nomination.
"Five countries proposed new names while three others reconfirmed their members. Malta remains a question mark and we are waiting for the government to decide so we can move forward," a Council official told The Sunday Times.
Like Commissioners-designate, the new ECA nominees will have to face hearings in front of MEPs before they get the green light to occupy the post. These hearings have been set for mid-March in front of the Committee for Budgets.
Malta's seat on the ECA is occupied by former Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici, but his term ends in May. Although according to ECA sources in Luxembourg Prof. Bonnici is keen on securing a second term, "this is very unlikely as the Prime Minister has already publicly said these posts should be for one term.
"He did a very good job at the ECA and is regarded as one of its best members. However, six years is a long time, and as Commissioner Joe Borg was just replaced, the same will probably apply to Prof. Bonnici," the sources said.
This newspaper is informed that the issue was discussed at length last Friday during a tête-à-tête meeting between Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Prof. Bonnici. Both sides remained tight-lipped.
When contacted, Prof. Bonnici would only say "no comment", while the Office of the Prime Minister said "Malta's nomination will be made at the most opportune time".
A nomination on the ECA is considered one of the most prestigious positions in the EU, on par with that of the European Commission. It comes with a similar financial package, including an annual salary of over €200,000, plus substantial allowances and a handsome 75 per cent pension. The nominee would have to leave Malta and live in Luxembourg.
It is not known what is keeping Dr Gonzi from submitting Malta's nomination, although it is not being excluded that he is counting on being able to announce Malta's new member along with the changes in Cabinet following Social Policy Minister John Dalli's resignation.
"Until a few days ago Mr Dalli was expected to resign on January 26, and it would have been opportune to announce the ECA nomination and Cabinet changes in one go. However, now the Commission's reappointment has been delayed to February the scenario has changed," government sources told The Sunday Times.
Dr Gonzi is keeping people guessing. Malta's Permanent EU Representative Richard Cachia Caruana and Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprise - GRTU director general Vince Farrugia have been mentioned as possible candidates.
However, the sources said Mr Cachia Caruana had changed his mind and was no longer interested in "a highly technical post", preferring something else.
"The situation is still very fluid and other names are being considered. As happens in such cases, many would normally come forward to show their interest, but at the end of the day the Prime Minister only has one post to offer," the sources said.