Prime Minister Robert Abela has formally written to the President of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen to nominate Glenn Micallef as Malta’s European Commissioner for the next term.

Micallef’s name had been announced by the Prime Minister on Thursday, a day after his first choice, Chris Fearne, was ruled definitely out after a court decreed enough evidence existed for him to be placed under indictment in the Vitals case.

Abela had said he was to wait until the court’s decree to make a final decision. Fearne had already withdrawn his nomination in May when he was first charged. Abela kept on hoping that the court would acquit Fearne at prima facie phase. But last Wednesday the court ruled Fearne is to be placed under indictment.