Labour Party MP and former environment minister Leo Brincat has been appointed to the European Court of Auditors, after his nomination was approved by the EU Competitiveness Council today.
The European Parliament had, through an overwhelming majority, objected to his nomination. Their decision is believed to be primarily due to Mr Brincat’s decision not to back a motion of no confidence in Minister without a portfolio Konrad Mizzi, due to the Panama Papers scandal.
The EP's rejection has now been overturned into an approval.
The press officer for the Committee confirmed to The Malta Independent on Thursday that his nomination was expected to be approved prior to the actual decision, given that the item was listed under the section which does not require any discussion, unless one of the other country's representatives objects.
In a tweet, Mr Brincat welcomed the Council's decision.
It is interesting to note that seven members of the council come from governments that are affilieted with the European People's Party. The EPP voted against Leo Brincat's nomination in the European Parliament.
Government statement
In a statement following Mr Brincat’s announcement, government said that his nomination was unanimously approved by all 28 member states.
“The Council of Ministers have final say on such decisions after seeking advice by the EU Parliament”.
Government said that Mr Brincat passed through without need for any discussion. “The strong vote in favour of the Maltese candidate shows that there was never any doubt regarding his integrity and competance for this post. It was truly saddening that, for the first time in history on a local level, Malta was not united behind this nomination”.
Government appealed for an end to partisan games and political obstacles given “the clear approval from the EU Council,” and that Malta moves ahead as one of the best countries in the EU.
PN reaction
Malta’s reputation took another hit today, the PN said, after Prime Minister Joseph Muscat remained stubborn by following through with Leo Brincat’s nomination, despite the EU Parliament’s absolute majority decision against. “The EU Parliamentary vote was clear, yet Dr Muscat chose to ignore this majority”.
"Dr Muscat acted dangerously, as he chose to open a front against the European Parliament, just a few weeks before Malta takes the EU Presidency. Instead of working towards consensus between the EU institutions, Dr Muscat chose to ignore the EU Parliament, that he himself was once a part of”.
The PN insists that the Prime Minister must not take the EU Presidency with OPM Chief of Staff Keith Schembri and Minister Konrad Mizzi tied around his neck. "Mr Schembri and Dr Mizzi are the causes behind Malta’s negative reputation".
COREPER, the permanent representatives of EU member states, had previously approved Leo Brincat's nomination as Malta's representative in the European Court of Auditors, listing it under the items to be approved without deliberation within the next Minister’s council meeting, which happened to be the EU Competitiveness Council meeting today.
Following the overwhelming EU Parliamentary majority against his nomination, S&D MEP Ana Gomes (S&D being the European Political group within which the PL falls) had told this newsroom that she couldn't imagine that the Maltese government would choose to persist with its nomination of Leo Brincat for the European Court of Auditors, or that Council would “dare go against the European Parliament’s view” given the sheer number of votes against.
Speaking with The Malta Independent, she had said that if they persisted with the nomination, “such an action would not only result in them discrediting themselves, but it would also not put the working conditions of the nominee in a good light, should he be appointed”.