Brussels, 25/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - The S&D Group at the European Parliament have expressed “serious doubts” about the entire process that led to the resignation of John Dalli, Public Health Commissioner, for influence peddling (see EUROPE 10717). “We demand that the involvement of OLAF and in particular the role and public appearance of its director general, Giovanni Kessler, be clarified immediately”, S&D President Hannes Swoboda of Austria states in a press release on Thursday 25 October. “At the moment, it seems like the situation may have been mishandled by the Commission president and by the director general of OLAF”, he added. According to the magazine New Europe, Kessler had spoken of contradictory stances regarding the impact that plain packaging has on cigarette smuggling. He was heard behind closed doors by the budgetary control committee of the Parliament that same day.
Swoboda promises to carefully study the qualifications of Tonio Borg, the Maltese foreign minister and candidate for succeeding Dalli. “In view of some comments from Mr Borg on the rights of homosexuals, we intend to question him closely on whether his views are compatible with Europe's fundamental values on civil liberties and non-discrimination”, he said.
On the European Commission's side, it is hoped the page can be turned as quickly as possible on this matter. “I understand that the Council is ready to accept Mr Borg's candidature”, a spokesman said. Borg met Barroso early this week. (MB/transl.jl)