Weeks of speculation drew to an abrupt close on Monday as the government finally made public its nomination of John Dalli as Malta’s next European Commissioner.

There is much to say about it, but we shall start off on a positive note. While there are many ifs and buts, theories of being kicked upstairs and more, one thing is certain – Mr Dalli has the strength of character, the work ethic and the experience needed to carry such a position.

While the new commission’s portfolios have not yet been assigned, one is sure that Mr Dalli will fit the bill and will not shy away from taking the bull by the horns in any scenario.

The Prime Minister quickly moved to dispel any hopes the PN’s rowdy backbench might have had of a Cabinet reshuffle being in the offing. Dr Gonzi maintains that his government, despite the hurdles it has had to face in the wake of the global recession, is meeting its targets and functioning well.

However, there will of course remain the question of who will fill Mr Dalli’s shoes. One possibility might be that Joe Cassar is rewarded for his hard work in the health sector by being promoted to Minister from parliamentary secretary.

However, it seems more than likely that a lateral move might come about, especially seeing that social policy is a bit of a hot potato which requires an experienced head. This could however, pave the way for the introduction of at least one new cabinet member.

Some perceive that the Prime Minister has taken the opportunity to ‘get Mr Dalli out of his hair’.

Their relationship has not been that grand since Mr Dalli lost out to Dr Gonzi in the PN leadership contest five years ago when Eddie Fenech Adami stepped down. Mr Dalli was appointed Foreign Minister, but was later ‘forced to resign’ in 2004 when he said he could not work effectively due to attacks from ‘different quarters’.

However, the electorate’s faith in Mr Dalli returned to parliament once again and a court ruling vindicated his claims that he had done nothing untoward in his Ministerial capacities. Since then, he has served as Social Policy Minister – ironically, the same post Dr Gonzi held before he became leader of the Nationalist Party.

The Prime Minister says that it is absolutely not the case of Mr Dalli being kicked upstairs, saying that five years ago, he (Mr Dalli) had expressed an interest in becoming European Commissioner.

It might not quite be a case of being ‘kicked upstairs’, but one would certainly say that it is convenient all round. Again, we departed from the point that Mr Dalli is a capable man. But one would also have to say that it will allow the Prime Minister a lot more elbow room to manoeuvre. It will also allow the PM to perhaps bring in another face and appease at least one rebel from the back benches.

This newspaper will also take the opportunity to commend Dr Joe Borg, the outgoing Fisheries Commissioner for the sterling job that he did in his tenure. In fact, the PM went as far as to say that Dr Borg, along with Michael Frendo and Richard Cachia Caruana, was again on the shortlist, but that the ‘need for change was felt’, hence the nomination of John Dalli.