The nomination of George Hyzler to represent Malta at the European Court of Auditors is not being done to get rid of him as Standards Commissioner, but because he has the prerequisites for the post, Prime Minister Robert Abela said today.

Replying to a question by The Malta Independent, Abela said that he was certain that Hyzler’s nomination will generate a consensus.

The news that Hyzler will be nominated to the ECA drew criticism that the government wanted to get rid of him for causing embarrassment in decisions he took as Standards Commissioner.

Hyzler was appointed in November 2018 ago for a one-time period of five years, but a nomination to the ECA will cut his term short by more than a year.

In his time as Commissioner, Hyzler has often found government ministers in breach of ethics, including former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat (four times), Minister Carmelo Abela, Minister Justyne Caruana and parliamentary secretary Rosianne Cutajar.

In his comments today, Abela said that it is not the individual that makes up the office.

The office is regulated by a law and will continue to operate once Hyzler is replaced, the Prime Minister said.

Hyzler is in the second half of his term in office and eventually would need to be replaced, Abela said.

“I cannot agree with the assertion” that Hyzler will be removed because he is embarrassing the government, he said.