Lobby groups urge MEPs to reject health commissioner nomination

A set of groups advocating patients’ rights have called on the European Parliament to reject the nomination of Tonio Borg as the next health commissioner, arguing that his political views are incompatible with the position.

In a statement, nine civil society organisations including the European Humanist Federation and the European AIDS Treatment Group said that Borg’s political views are “not compatible with the fundamental principles and values of the European Union and would prevent him from being an impartial Commissioner”. The organisations state this include his support to maintain prison sentences for women who performed an abortion in Malta, limiting property inheritance for same-sex couples, and support of deportation of migrants.