Swedish EU minister slams Commissioner-designate

(STOCKHOLM) - Sweden's Minister for European Affairs, Birgitta Ohlsson, on Friday lashed out at Malta's European Commissioner designate Tonio Borg, describing his views on abortion and same-sex marriage as "terrible".

"The Liberal Party of Sweden and myself raised the issue of Tonio Borg's suitability as an EU commissioner ... as soon as his name came up," Ohlsson said in a statement.

"As liberals we distance ourselves from his terrible views on refusing women the right to abortion and his opposition to same-sex marriage."

Ohlsson is known as a vocal supporter of women's rights and gay rights.

In October she participated in Belgrade's gay pride celebration, which had to be held indoors after the organisers failed to get permission to hold a parade in the Serbian capital.

Borg, who is also Malta's foreign minister and deputy prime minister, has been tapped to replace fellow Maltese national John Dalli as EU health and consumer commissioner, who stepped down in October following allegations of influence peddling.

On Thursday, a majority of political groups in the European parliament approved his nomination, but the lawmakers still have to vote formally during its plenary session held from Monday to Thursday.

One of Ohlsson's party colleagues, Swedish MEP Cecilia Wikstroem, said on Monday she would spearhead efforts to thwart Borg's appointment, branding him a "dinosaur".