Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1163844
9 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 8 SEPTEMBER 2019 MATTHEW VELLA HELENA Dalli, the Maltese commissioner-elect for the Von der Leyen executive in Brussels, could face the po- litical test of her lifetime: the former equalities minister is being tipped for the justice portfolio. Official posts are yet to be announced, but a leaked document seen by MaltaTo- day, which is still subject to changes, shows that Dalli is expected to take on the post once held by Vera Jourová. In the past, the commis- sioners who held the post have been critics of Maltese governance, first with Vivi- ane Reding after Malta in- troduced its sale of citizen- ship, and later with Jourová as Malta's rule of law came under Brussels's lens in the aftermath of Daphne Caruana Galizia's assassination. Jourová is expected to be the European Commission's first ever commissioner for demo- cratic rule of law. But it also means that Dalli will have to undergo what will probably be the toughest grilling ever meted out to a Maltese commissioner-elect by the European Parliament, after years of being under the sharp light of MEPs' scrutiny. Still, without the rule of law element in the justice port- folio, grilling might just focus on civil liberties rather than more controversial issues. She might also have to con- tend with Nationalist MEPs David Casa and Roberta Met- sola, fierce critics of Malta's rule of law shortcomings, de- spite assurances from the De- lia leadership that Dalli will be supported by the PN. Maltese commissioners have previously held the fisheries, health and consumer policy, and environment portfolios. But with justice, Dalli would also be expected to be her country's critic in the after- math of the last five years of Brussels scrutiny. At the same time, Ursula von der Leyen has selected a Luxembourger, Nicolas Schmit, for the post of finan- cial services commissioner, who is also surely to face a de- cent grilling on issues of taxa- tion: perhaps this marks the VDL commission's attempt to change tack on its zealous pursuit of member state gov- ernments by selecting a more 'defensive' cadre of commis- sioners. Both before and after the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, Malta was the focus of var- ious committees of MEPs, most especially the PANA committee which investi- gated the effects of tax eva- sion and money laundering revealed by the Panama Pa- pers, and later a 'rule of law in Malta' committee of MEPs. With Malta's tainted repu- tation a pet subject of vari- ous MEPs from all political groupings, Dalli's record in Cabinet will be dissected, poked and prodded by eager interviewees. She can be expected to face questions on Malta's sale of citizenship, the role of Malta in pursuing justice for Daph- ne Caruana Galizia and its refusal to hold a public in- quiry while a criminal inquiry is ongoing in its prosecution of her three killers, as well as general criticism from NGOs who have shadowed Malta's governance and democratic evolution in the past years. More recently, during the country's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the Unit- ed Nations Human Rights Council, Dalli's delegation was criticised for Malta's weaknesses in areas pertain- ing to freedom of expression, media freedom, media inde- pendence, and the safety and protection of journalists. Dalli is Malta's first-ever fe- male nominee to the Europe- an Commission, which under German president Ursula von Der Leyen has more gender balance than ever before. Currently, the Commis- sion's directorate-general for justice handles EU policy on justice, consumer rights and gender equality: the latter has been a portfolio piloted with success in Malta by Dalli, who heralded unprecedented civil liberties and equalities re- forms. The portfolio has also in- cluded EU citizenship, which is why former commissioner Viviane Reding had originally warned against Malta's sale of citizenship under the IIP; she later reached agreement on Malta's right to sell citizen- ship. Malta had a rocky rela- tionship with former justice commissioner Vera Jourová, accusing her of 'unfair' treat- ment for speaking to the press on Malta affairs she did not raise in face-to-face meetings. NEWS CAREER OPPORTUNITIES These posts oer excellent career opportunities and carry attractive remuneration packages commensurate with qualications and experience. A full job description of these posts is available on the MDB's website: www. mdb.org.mt. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the MDB on careers@mdb.org.mt or on +356 2226 1700. Applications together with curriculum vitae and a copy of qualication certicates are to be submitted by Monday 30 September 2019 addressed to: The Chief Executive Ocer, Malta Development Bank, Pope Pius V Street, Valletta VLT 1041 or via email on careers@mdb.org.mt BRIDGING THE INVESTMENT GAP SUPPORTING SMEs, INNOVATION, INFRASTRUCTURE & SOCIAL INVESTMENT • European Aairs Ocer (JobsPlus permit 648/2019) • Human Resources and Administration Ocer (JobsPlus permit 652/2019) mdb.org.mt The Malta Development Bank (MDB) is a promotional bank set up by the Government of Malta in 2017 in terms of the Malta Development Bank Act, 2017 (CAP.574). The aim of the MDB is to complement commercial banks so as to bridge nancial gaps in bankable investments, thereby supporting socio-economic development in Malta, with special focus on SMEs, infrastructure, innovation, digitalisation, education, and other socially-oriented projects. The MDB is currently recruiting and invites applications from suitably qualied candidates with banking experience who are citizens of European Union Member States for the following vacancies: Maltese nightmare? Leaked EC list has Dalli for justice Maltese nightmare? Leaked EC list has Dalli for justice A leaked list of portfolios for Ursola von der Leyen's executive has Helena Dalli tasked for the justice portfolio Jourová was seeking a "formal opinion" on ac- tion against Malta after its Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit had alleg- edly failed to address Eu- ropean Banking Authority concerns over its handling of the Pilatus Bank affair, even though FIAU officials had insisted they had con- sented to all EBA and EC recommendations and in- structions. Finance minis- ter Edward Scicluna had ac- cused Jourová of being part of an "orchestrated media campaign" against Malta. Dalli: leaked list suggests she will take justice portfolio