| Tonio Borg | |
| Office: | European Commissioner for Health |
| President: | José Manuel Barroso |
| Term Start: | 1 July 2013 |
| Term End: | 1 November 2014 |
| Predecessor: | Himself |
| Office1: | European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy |
| President1: | José Manuel Barroso |
| Term Start1: | 28 November 2012 |
| Term End1: | 1 July 2013 |
| Office2: | Deputy Prime Minister of Malta |
| Primeminister2: | Lawrence Gonzi |
| Term Start2: | 23 March 2004 |
| Term End2: | 28 November 2012 |
| Predecessor2: | Lawrence Gonzi |
| Successor2: | Louis Grech |
| Office3: | Minister of Foreign Affairs |
| Primeminister3: | Lawrence Gonzi |
| Term Start3: | 12 March 2008 |
| Term End3: | 28 November 2012 |
| Predecessor3: | Michael Frendo |
| Successor3: | Francis Zammit Dimech |
| Office4: | Minister of Justice |
| Primeminister4: | Eddie Fenech Adami Lawrence Gonzi |
| Term Start4: | 15 April 2003 |
| Term End4: | 12 March 2008 |
| Predecessor4: | Austin Gatt |
| Successor4: | Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici |
| Office5: | Minister of Home Affairs |
| Primeminister5: | Eddie Fenech Adami Lawrence Gonzi |
| Term Start5: | 8 September 1998 |
| Term End5: | 12 March 2008 |
| Predecessor5: | Alfred Sant |
| Successor5: | Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici |
| Primeminister6: | Eddie Fenech Adami |
| Term Start6: | 17 April 1995 |
| Term End6: | 28 October 1996 |
| Predecessor6: | Louis Galea |
| Successor6: | Alfred Sant |
| Birth Date: | 12 May 1957 |
| Birth Place: | Floriana, Malta |
| Party: | Nationalist Party |
| Spouse: | Adele Galea |
| Children: | 3 |
| Alma Mater: | University of Malta |
Tonio Borg (born 12 May 1957) is a conservative Maltese politician who served as the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy replacing John Dalli as member of the College of the European Commission in the second Barroso Commission.[1] [2] [3]
Borg's political views have been described as Christian Democratic inspired by Catholic social teaching. He had proposed to entrench into the Maltese Constitution the sections of the law banning abortion (already a criminal offence in Malta).[4] In Parliament, he voted against the introduction of a divorce law, despite it being upheld in a consultative referendum. Borg also spoke out in 2009 against including cohabiting couples (either heterosexual or homosexual) as beneficiaries to legislation enacted around the time of the Second World War intended to protect tenants during the housing shortage of the time.[5] [6]
During Borg's nominee for commissioner, the president of the European Humanist Association said: “We believe that this candidacy is clearly damaging for Europe and seriously concerning for the quality of health services enjoyed by those millions of European citizens. There are serious doubts as to whether Borg shares this commitment. As Minister of Justice in Malta, he repeatedly and vigorously opposed women’s sexual and reproductive rights and even campaigned in 2004 to constitutionalize the abortion ban in his home country. In 2011, he also strongly opposed the legalisation of divorce in Malta. In addition, he has openly expressed contempt for the LGBT community and opposed the recognition of the rights of homosexual co-habiting couples in the Maltese Parliament in 2009. Finally, as Home Affairs Minister, he clearly failed to protect the rights of illegal migrants.”[7]
During Borg's nomination to become commissioner the European Parliament Intergroup speaking on behalf of ILGA (an LGBT advocacy group) has said “Tonio Borg’s views on abortion, homosexuality and divorce are staunchly conservative and outdated. While not necessarily on topics of EU competence, he views his strong opinions as ‘issues of conscience’, which would prevent him from being an impartial commissioner especially with the public health portfolio.”[7] [8]
In December 2018 Borg was appointed Companion of the Order of Merit (KOM) by the President of Malta.
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