Tonio Borg

Tonio Borg (born 12 May 1957) is a conservative Maltese politician who served as the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy replacing John Dalli as member of the College of the European Commission in the second Barroso Commission.[1][2][3]

Tonio Borg
European Commissioner for Health
In office
1 July 2013 – 1 November 2014
PresidentJosé Manuel Barroso
Preceded byHimself (Health and Consumer Policy)
Succeeded byVytenis Andriukaitis (Health and Food Safety)
European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy
In office
28 November 2012 – 1 July 2013
PresidentJosé Manuel Barroso
Preceded byMaroš Šefčovič (Acting)
Succeeded byHimself (Health)
Neven Mimica (Consumer Protection)
Deputy Prime Minister of Malta
In office
23 March 2004 – 28 November 2012
Prime MinisterLawrence Gonzi
Preceded byLawrence Gonzi
Succeeded byLouis Grech
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office
12 March 2008 – 28 November 2012
Prime MinisterLawrence Gonzi
Preceded byMichael Frendo
Succeeded byFrancis Zammit Dimech
Minister of Justice
In office
15 April 2003 – 12 March 2008
Prime MinisterEddie Fenech Adami
Lawrence Gonzi
Preceded byAustin Gatt
Succeeded byCarmelo Mifsud Bonnici
Minister of Home Affairs
In office
8 September 1998 – 12 March 2008
Prime MinisterEddie Fenech Adami
Lawrence Gonzi
Preceded byAlfred Sant
Succeeded byCarmelo Mifsud Bonnici
In office
17 April 1995 – 28 October 1996
Prime MinisterEddie Fenech Adami
Preceded byLouis Galea
Succeeded byAlfred Sant
Personal details
Born (1957-05-12) 12 May 1957
Floriana, Malta
Political partyNationalist Party
SpouseAdele Galea
Children3
Alma materUniversity of Malta

Political views

Borg's political views have been described as Christian Democratic inspired by Catholic social teaching. He had proposed to entrench into the Maltese Constitution the sections of the law banning abortion (already a criminal offence in Malta).[4]

In Parliament, he voted against the introduction of a divorce law, despite it being upheld in a consultative referendum. Borg also spoke out in 2009 against including cohabiting couples (either heterosexual or homosexual) as beneficiaries to legislation enacted around the time of the Second World War intended to protect tenants during the housing shortage of the time.[5][6]

During Borg's nominee for commissioner, Pierre Galand the president of the European Humanist Association said: “We believe that this candidacy is clearly damaging for Europe and seriously concerning for the quality of health services enjoyed by those millions of European citizens. There are serious doubts as to whether Borg shares this commitment. As Minister of Justice in Malta, he repeatedly and vigorously opposed women’s sexual and reproductive rights and even campaigned in 2004 to constitutionalize the abortion ban in his home country. In 2011, he also strongly opposed the legalisation of divorce in Malta. In addition, he has openly expressed contempt for the LGBT community and opposed the recognition of the rights of homosexual co-habiting couples in the Maltese Parliament in 2009. Finally, as Home Affairs Minister, he clearly failed to protect the rights of illegal migrants.”[7]

During Borg' nominee to become commission the European Parliament Intergroup speaking on behalf of ILGA (an LGBT advocacy group) has said “Tonio Borg’s views on abortion, homosexuality and divorce are staunchly conservative and outdated. While not necessarily on topics of EU competence, he views his strong opinions as ‘issues of conscience’, which would prevent him from being an impartial commissioner especially with the public health portfolio.”[7][8]

Other activities

Recognition

In December 2018 Borg was appointed Companion of the Order of Merit (KOM) by the President of Malta.

Publications
  • Borg, Tonio (September 2020). "Conscientious objection and the equality bills". Times of Malta.

References
  1. "Official: Tonio Borg nominated European Commissioner - to stay on as minister until confirmation process is concluded". Times of Malta.
  2. "European Humanist Federation - Opposing Tonio Borg's nomination as EU Commissioner". humanistfederation.eu.
  3. "Factsheet". www.catholicsforchoice.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  4. "Plans for abortion law to be entrenched in Constitution". Times of Malta. May 7, 2013. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
  5. Malta Star, 19 October 2012
  6. Malta Star, 25 October 2012
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-08-27. Retrieved 2020-09-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "Swedish vicar-MEP dubs commissioner-designate Tonio Borg 'dinosaur'". MaltaToday.com.mt.
  9. Members of the Management Board European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Media related to Tonio Borg at Wikimedia Commons

Political offices
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