Scicluna off ballot list for Eurogroup head
Malta’s Finance Minister, Edward Scicluna, appears to have become a casualty of the backlash in the EU as Malta comes under increasing scrutiny over its tax regime and connection to the Panama Papers.
As the 19 eurozone finance ministers meet in Brussels on Monday to choose who among them will head the powerful Eurogroup, Prof. Scicluna has not put his name on the ballot sheet.
This despite the fact that earlier this month, the minister – considered one of the most upright members in the Muscat cabinet – declared publicly that he was interested in contesting.
He said much depended on the internal politics of the decision, as he would only stand a chance if the position was to be occupied by a socialist.
This will indeed be the case: the European People’s Party (EPP) has decided not to contest the election, leaving the way open for a socialist minister to occupy the post.
Yet Prof. Scicluna is not on the final list of contenders.
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