Prime Minister Robert Abela is expected to nominate Standards Commissioner George Hyzler to the European Court of Auditors (ECA) later this year.

PM Abela informed Labour MPs during a parliamentary group meeting about this decision on Friday, Times of Malta reports.

As the EU’s independent external auditor, the ECA looks after the interests of EU taxpayers. It does not have legal powers, but works to improve the European Commission’s management of the EU budget and reports on EU finances.

Each EU country gets to nominate one member to sit on the court.

Former Labour minister Leo Brincat has been Malta’s representative for six years, with his term on the court coming to an end this year. His stint, which was renewable by another six years, expires in September.

This nomination would potentially see Hyzler replacing Brincat, who had been Malta's choice after the initial nomination of Toni Abela was rejected.

Hyzler, who has been serving his role as Standards Commission for four years, would be retaining his role until the potential appointment. If nominated, his non-renewable five-year term as Standards Commissioner will be cut short by one year.

Nominees must face a grilling by the European Parliament’s budget committee, with a final vote taken in the plenary and a final decision taken by the European Council.