EP leaders fail to agree on Borg resolution

Tonio Borg's nomination as European Commissioner yesterday hit another snag as the European Parliament's Conference of Presidents failed to agree on a common resolution for Wednesday's plenary vote. Instead, they have opted for the rare moves of asking the Maltese candidate for further clarifications and having each political grouping come out with its own resolution. Sources close to the EP told The Times that the move follows the objections raised by the Liberals, Greens and other small groups against supporting a common resolution proposing the nomination of Dr Borg. The Conference agreed that EP President Martin Schultz should send a letter to Dr Borg asking for clarifications on seven specific points. "The President accepted to write to Dr Borg for further clarifications, although we don't yet know what the seven points are," the sources said. "Although this request will be made on behalf of the smaller groups, Dr Borg will need to come out with convincing replies to sway those MEPs, particularly in the Socialist group, who have not yet made up their mind." Dr Borg, who if selected would hold the health and consumer affairs portfolio, could not be...