Glenn Micallef is Abelas likely choice for Maltas next European Commissioner
Prime Minister Robert Abela is likely to opt for the least disruptive nomination by proposing his former chief of staff and EU expert Glenn Micallef as Malta's next European Commissioner
Robert Abela’s former chief of staff Glenn Micallef is slated to be Malta’s nominee for European Commissioner in what could be a risky move.
The Prime Minister had to nominate someone else after his first choice, Chris Fearne, definitely pulled out of the nomination when a court ruled he should stand trial in the Vitals corruption case on Wednesday.
Micallef would be the first Maltese non-politician for the role, something that could raise eyebrows within EU quarters. MaltaToday had reported last month that Micallef was the front-runner for the post if the Fearne option got scuttled.
Sources close to government told MaltaToday that although Micallef has no controversial baggage and is knowledgeable on EU matters he lacks executive experience.
“Ursula von der Leyen has made it clear that she wants experienced and capable commissioners, ideally with some previous experience in government,” the sources said, adding that Micallef was never a minister.
The sources added that Abela’s choice is also the least disruptive for his government since it does not require him to make any Cabinet reshuffle.
“If he nominates a sitting minister, Robert Abela will be forced to carry out a reshuffle, a prospect that could cause him headaches, especially after June’s dismal election result,” the sources said. “In this way, he can carry out a reshuffle at his own leisure, if at all.”
Micallef resigned from head of secretariat at the Office of the Prime Minister shortly after the 8 June European election, a decision he said had been agreed upon earlier.
Prior to joining the OPM in November 2020, Micallef worked at Malta’s representative office in Brussels and had acted as the Prime Minister’s ‘sherpa’. A sherpa is the official responsible for handling technical negotiations and backroom dealings at EU level.
EU leaders have to nominate their prospective commissioners so that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen can interview them and assign portfolios accordingly.
Von der Leyen has asked leaders to nominate two people – a man and a woman – however, this is an unlikely prospect.
Prospective commissioners would then face a grilling in front of MEPs after the summer.
The European Parliament can reject candidates and in 2019, the first French, Romanian and Hungarian commissioner picks were discarded and had to be replaced by the national governments.
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