Sunday, 7th February 2010
Harry Vassallo joining Dalli's team in Brussels
Former Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Harry Vassallo is to join EU Commissioner John Dalli's private cabinet in Brussels.
When contacted, Dr Vassallo confirmed the move saying: "I will be moving to Brussels to be a member of John Dalli's cabinet."
The news comes six weeks after Dr Vassallo denied speculation about the move. "It was just too early for me and I hadn't decided yet," he said when asked why he had taken a reticent approach.
Sources said Dr Vassallo, who led Alternattiva for 10 years between 1998 and 2008 on a pro-EU ticket, was among the first invited by Mr Dalli to join his team, following his nomination. Until a few days ago, Dr Vassallo was editor of Media Today's Sunday Maltese language newspaper Illum.
Dr Vassallo, considered to be a moderate, is known to have strong contacts with the Green Group in the European Parliament, which Mr Dalli will be using in his favour particularly due to environment-sensitive issues in his portfolio such as animal welfare and GMOs.
His move to Brussels will complete Mr Dalli's eight-member cabinet, which will be headed by Joanna Darmanin - outgoing Commissioner Joe Borg's deputy chief - and includes former Nationalist MEP candidate Edward Demicoli.
The Commissioner's inner circle will also include a French spokesman and EU fonctionnaires from Germany, Italy, Portugal and Austria.
Mr Dalli will take up his new post on Wednesday, the day after European Parliament is expected to approve the new Commission.
RSS
Comments
Not bad at all, considering that before the last election this government wanted to arrest you.
At the moment it seems in the war Money vs Enviornment, Money is gaining the upper hand!
The Time when money will be the only thing left to eat may not be far off!
I am sure their work together will be beneficial not just for Malta but also for the E.U. The
E. U. needs capable administrators like these two.
I still believe that John Dalli is the shrewdest politician for taking Harry aboard. I am sure that Harry pays no lip service, and such position requires reliable a assistant who is not afraid to call a spade a spade.
Political appointments and Professional appointments have nothing to do with each other.
On the other hand, Harry`s absence from the local scene has been felt since his departure in 2008.
Good luck!
Mr Dalli is a balanced politician and it was a wise decision to include Dr. Harry Vassallo in his the team. I have worked with Dr. Vassallo and I know how much he has contributed to Maltese politics and how much energy and diligence he puts in his work.
I have no doubt that he will continue to do so in Brussels. A man of integrity and great capability. AD has lost when Dr. Vassallo left but now the whole nation will be benefiting.
John Dalli as Commissioner is serving the Commission (i.e. all EU citizens) - not just Malta and less even the PN.
In this regard the decisions he takes - including selecting the team who will help him to deliver his services effectively - will be based on the integrity and capabilities of the persons concerned.
Thus in chosing Harry, John Dalli reconfirms his wise and strategic vision - and no nonesense approach to deliver..........maybe some ex-political "peers" in Malta can learn from him!
Maybe this wider perspective and co-operation towards working to be effective in citizen's real ultimate benefit, rather than the fixation with political parties' short-term interest, would instigate an overdue change in mentality and practices in our local political scene!
A true revision of the Electoral Law would be a good start.....