Malta’s Chris Fearne likely no longer in the running for EU Commissioner after court ruling – POLITICO

Fearne told reporters outside the courtroom that he would look closely at the judge’s decision before making any further comment.

The scandal forced Fearne to resign as deputy prime minister and withdraw his candidacy as Malta’s next EU commissioner – despite repeatedly protesting his innocence. He was considered the favourite to succeed Stella Kyriakides as health commissioner.

But Prime Minister Robert Abela offered him a chance back earlier this month, saying he would be happy to nominate Fearne for the post if the court cleared his name.

There are currently no other obvious candidates to succeed Kyriakides. She herself has ruled out another term, while Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke, another name being discussed in Brussels’ health policy circles, is likely to remain in domestic politics.

Members of the European Parliament’s Environment and Health Committee had previously told POLITICO that they could not support Fearne as long as charges were brought against him.

Fearne was Europe’s longest-serving health minister when he resigned as health minister in January to take up another government job. He also served as president of the World Health Assembly in 2023 and is a member of the Group of World Leaders on Antimicrobials.