Tonio Borg Explained

Tonio Borg
Office:European Commissioner for Health
President:José Manuel Barroso
Term Start:1 July 2013
Term End:1 November 2014
Predecessor:Himself
Office1:European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy
President1:José Manuel Barroso
Term Start1:28 November 2012
Term End1:1 July 2013
Office2:Deputy Prime Minister of Malta
Primeminister2:Lawrence Gonzi
Term Start2:23 March 2004
Term End2:28 November 2012
Predecessor2:Lawrence Gonzi
Successor2:Louis Grech
Office3:Minister of Foreign Affairs
Primeminister3:Lawrence Gonzi
Term Start3:12 March 2008
Term End3:28 November 2012
Predecessor3:Michael Frendo
Successor3:Francis Zammit Dimech
Office4:Minister of Justice
Primeminister4:Eddie Fenech Adami
Lawrence Gonzi
Term Start4:15 April 2003
Term End4:12 March 2008
Predecessor4:Austin Gatt
Successor4:Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici
Office5:Minister of Home Affairs
Primeminister5:Eddie Fenech Adami
Lawrence Gonzi
Term Start5:8 September 1998
Term End5:12 March 2008
Predecessor5:Alfred Sant
Successor5:Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici
Primeminister6:Eddie Fenech Adami
Term Start6:17 April 1995
Term End6:28 October 1996
Predecessor6:Louis Galea
Successor6:Alfred Sant
Birth Date:12 May 1957
Birth Place:Floriana, Malta
Party:Nationalist Party
Spouse:Adele Galea
Children:3
Alma Mater:University of Malta

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]

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, 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's nomination to become commissioner 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

Political offices

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Official: Tonio Borg nominated European Commissioner - to stay on as minister until confirmation process is concluded. Times of Malta. 20 October 2012 .
  2. Web site: European Humanist Federation - Opposing Tonio Borg's nomination as EU Commissioner. humanistfederation.eu.
  3. Web site: Factsheet. www.catholicsforchoice.org. PDF. 2020-09-19. 2015-09-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923200912/http://www.catholicsforchoice.org/topics/oppositionwatch/TonioBorgFactsheet.asp. dead.
  4. News: Plans for abortion law to be entrenched in Constitution. May 7, 2013. Times of Malta. November 13, 2016.
  5. http://www.maltastar.com/dart/20121019-gonzi-warned-not-to-replace-dalli-with-tonio-borg Malta Star
  6. http://www.maltastar.com/dart/20121025-socialists-to-grill-tonio-borg-on-eu-values Malta Star
  7. Web site: Archived copy . 2020-09-19 . 2017-08-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170827044236/http://www.maltastar.com/pages/r1/ms10dart.asp?a=11054 . dead .
  8. Web site: Swedish vicar-MEP dubs commissioner-designate Tonio Borg 'dinosaur'. MaltaToday.com.mt.
  9. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/about-us/who-we-are/management-board/members Members of the Management Board