Malta has proposed replacing former health minister John Dalli on the European Commission with Maltese Foreign Minister Tonio Borg, the European Voice reported.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi informed Brussels on Saturday of the nomination, the Voice said on its website. Borg reportedly was to meet with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on 22 Oct. There has been no decision made on whether Borg will take over the health and consumer affairs portfolio at the EU, the European Voice said.
Dalli resigned effective 16 Oct after an investigation by the EU fraud unit into allegations by Swedish Match that it had been approached by a Maltese entrepreneur and acquaintance of Dalli’s who asked for money in return for influencing tobacco legislation, in particular the European Union ban on snus. The investigation concluded Dalli at least knew of the contact, and did not report it as he was required to do as commissioner. (pi)