European commissioner-designate John Dalli yesterday appeared to leave a good impression in what turned out to be an uncontroversial hearing before MEPs assessing his credentials to steer the EU's health and consumer policy.
MEPs from various political groups described Mr Dalli's overall performance as very convincing, leaving them in no doubt that the Qormi-based politician has what it takes.
No particularly pungent questions were asked in the three-hour hearing before the environment and internal market committees of the European Parliament.
Afterwards, MEPs from the biggest two parliamentary groups in the EP, the Christian-Democrats and the Socialists, praised Mr Dalli's convincing replies. Some had even applauded statements he made during the session, somewhat of a rarity at hearings of the other commissioners-designate.
"I think Mr Dalli showed he has all the credentials to be a good commissioner," Jo Leinen, chairman of the Environment, Food Safety and Public Health Committee, said.
"He sang our song and we were impressed by what he said. I think he will definitely go through this important exam."
Similar praise came from Mr Dalli's own political family, the EPP.
"Mr Dalli was very convincing and very precise. More precise than any others so far," said German MEP Peter Leise, the EPP's chief coordinator assessing Mr Dalli's suitability for the job assigned to him by Commission president José Manuel Barroso. French MEP Robert Rochefort, of the Liberals, was not totally convinced by the Maltese politician's performance, calling it average although saying he had the MEPs' approval
Mr Dalli, well-groomed but visibly tense, was accompanied to Parliament by his close collaborators, his wife Josette and his youngest daughter Louisa.
Using the slogan Patients First, Consumers First and emphasising his willingness to consult MEPs regularly on all the important issues in the coming five years, he soon won over his examiners. He settled down quickly after that and started answering MEPs' questions quite comfortably.
Although normally such hearings are characterised by direct and sometimes embarrassing questions, the session turned out to be plain-sailing and relaxed, with no controversial questions being put.
He even found the time to pass some light-hearted comments.
Speaking about food-labelling, he recalled recently seeing a bag of sugar marketed as helping people lose weight.
His 20-year political career did not feature in any way and he was not asked a single question related to his controversial resignation from Cabinet in 2004 and the allegations made against him over the years.
Instead, MEPs focused on subjects directly related to his portfolio including animal cloning, genetically-modified organisms, patients' rights, medicine availability and animal welfare.
All five Maltese MEPs attended the hearing. Labour's Louis Grech was the only one eligible to ask a question as a member of one of the committees responsible for Mr Dalli's hearing.
Mr Grech focused on the right of consumers to have collective redress possibly in an attempt to score a political point associated with the local controversy of VAT on car-registration, over which the Labour Party has started class action. Mr Dalli however steered clear of the local angle while promising Mr Grech action on his point.
Asked for his assessment after the hearing, Mr Dalli said that although he didn't want to pass judgment on himself he felt he gave a good performance.
Reactions to Dalli's performance
Evelyn Gebhardt (Germany - Socialist), Internal Market Committee coordinator
"I think he was very good especially on the consumers' aspect. I am a little bit worried about the answer he gave on the full harmonisation of consumer rights saying the internal market is more important than the consumers and there I think we have to challenge him on it. However, overall, I think he made a good impression; he's knowledgeable on important matters and I think he will be a good commissioner. I think it was a good show and much better than many other commissioners-designate we had before us this week."
Peter Liese (Germany - EPP), Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee coordinator
"I think what he said that the internal market is more important than some consumer rights, clearly shows he comes from a small member state. We strongly believe consumer rights should be harmonised and on this point we do not agree with Mr Dalli. Otherwise, it was an excellent performance; he was well prepared, even sometimes joking a little bit... A very good overall assessment indeed."
Malcolm Harbour (UK - European Conservatives), Internal Market Committee chairman
"Mr Dalli was very impressive and I think he showed he is very enthusiastic, particularly about the health sector. I think he spoke very seriously about certain issues, particularly about consumers' rights. I obviously welcome his commitment to be the champion of EU consumers and that is important for his credibility. We were very reassured about his competences by what he said. Having been a Cabinet minister for a long time, Mr Dalli showed he has confidence and stature in dealing with other commissioners. This is very important as there are so many areas where he will have to persuade member states on their commitment. I hope he will manage. We will certainly be encouraging him to stand up very strongly for consumers' interests."
Robert Rochefort (France - Liberals), Internal Market and Consumer Committee
"He was very interesting but I am a little bit preoccupied about his views on the directive on consumer rights, particularly when he said the internal market will be more important. I don't agree at all with his views. I am not sure Mr Dalli knew his subjects very well, although it's quite difficult to do so in a short time. However, I have to note there was a striking difference between Mr Dalli and some of the other nominees, like commissioner-designate Michel Barnier who was already a commissioner and this showed. However, overall, Mr Dalli managed to work through the three hours and went through. Is it enough? We will see from his job. He has our approval but he wasn't superb. His performance was average."
Jo Leinen (Germany-Socialists) Environment, Food Safety and Public Heath Committee chairman
"I think he gave a good performance. He showed competence and commitment to this vast portfolio. He showed he is a very experienced politician as he didn't answer what he didn't want to answer, or couldn't answer, but he had a good mixture of quite straight answers. I think many members were satisfied while others will forgive him for now. Despite having very controversial topics to speak about, like cloning, patients' rights, nanotechnology and GMOs, his political experience came through as he avoided controversy. I think he presented himself in a very credible way. He talked the way we wanted him to, probably intentionally, but we now have it on record and he will be with us for five years. We will definitely remind him on the promises he made today."
Louis Grech (Malta - Socialists), Internal Market Committee vice-president
"I think John Dalli performed very well. It is not easy to stand in front of three parliamentary committees for three hours and face all sorts of questions. I don't see any problems and he was very convincing."