Foreign Minister Tonio Borg is expected to be nominated by the government to become European Commissioner.
Once approved by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers, he will serve for the rest of John Dalli’s term, up to 2014.
Dr Borg, an expert in public law, has been foreign minister since 2008 and is respected among his peers, particularly for his input two years ago when the Schengen countries were in dispute with Libya.
He has been an MP since 1992 and a minister since 1995, having served for many years as minister of justice and home affairs. He was also responsible for local government.
Dr Borg became deputy leader of the Nationalist Party in 2004.
It is not clear whether Dr Borg will take over responsibility for health and consumer affairs, which were Mr Dalli’s portfolio, since sources in Brussels have indicated that Commission president Jose’ Manoel Barroso may reshuffle responsibilities.
