Euro-MPs grill Maltese nominee for top job

(BRUSSELS) - Former Maltese foreign minister Tonio Borg, his country's nominee for the EU's top health job but a well-known Catholic conservative, was submitted to three hours of intense grilling by MEPs on Tuesday.

Borg, named to replace John Dalli as health commissioner after his forced resignation over a tobacco-linked influence-peddling fraud probe, is known for controversial statements on abortion and gay marriage.

But if backed for the job by the European parliament next week, he will be in charge of sensitive questions on healthcare, contraception and research.

In his opening statement, Borg promised to champion consumer interests and to cooperate with the parliament, saying he would propose legislation on tobacco, cloning and plant and animal health.

After Dalli quit amid a scandal over long-delayed tobacco products legislation, Borg promised to propose "ambitious" measures in January 2013.

Queried repeatedly over women's rights, Borg said he "would not abandon his personal views" but would respect the treaties.

He said he had personally supported a bill in Malta to recognise non-marital relationships, whether heterosexual or homosexual and pledged to back current proposals to increase the presence of women on boards.

Parliamentary committees will meet next week to discuss his candidacy ahead of a non-binding vote in Strasbourg.

Hearing of Commissioner-designate Tonio Borg - European Parliament