Toni Abela treated unfairly by MEPs, Sant tells European Parliament

Former Prime Minister and Labour MEP Alfred Sant has criticized the way Toni Abela’s nomination for the European Court of Auditors was reviewed, in a reaction to the report on the EU general budget for the ECA.

Sant suggested to MEPs in Brussels that “occult elements” had organized a campaign to discredit Abela, and he applauded the former deputy leader for party affairs’ integrity at withdrawing his nomination shortly after being rejected by the Budgetary Control Committee.

But Sant said that hearings before the European Parliament for nominees to the EU’s Court of Auditors were consultative.

“Nominees who receive a negative vote in committee or plenary, can still be appointed if the Council of Ministers so decides,” he said in a reference to the Polish government pushing its nomination through the Council.

“Abela, who was nominated this year by the Maltese government, had promised that if turned down by the relevant committee of the Parliament, he would withdraw. So he did. I applaud Abela for his political integrity. I cannot applaud how his nomination was reviewed. It frequently happens, as with Abela, that occult elements organize campaigns to discredit nominees, alleging dishonourable or criminal behaviour. Nominees can defend themselves during face to face meetings with members of the committee and during the hearing.”

Sant said that in Abela’s case, the hearing was short. “Allegations against him could not be fully clarified. Other issues too needed discussion. Abela was treated unfairly. If this Parliament wishes hearings on nominations to be meaningful, it should reconsider how to conduct them.

“When allegations of criminal or dishonourable behaviour arise, they should be considered separately by a jury d’honneur, aided by legal counsel, on the basis of facts. The hearing would then concentrate on the personal, professional and political abilities of the nominee, remarked the Maltese MEP.”