BRUSSELS (BELGIUM) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltàs commissioner-designate Glenn Micallef was approved by MEPs to serve as European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport on Monday, following a three-hour European Parliament grilling.
Micallef, 35, is the youngest commissioner-designate who was assigned the portfolio by Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
Micallef answered MEP questions about a raft of issues, from screentime for young people to cyberbullying, equal pay for female and male athletes and transgender controversy in sports.
However, his replies stuck firmly to EU policy initiatives. He highlighted the Commission plans to introduce a cyberbullying strategy and a commitment to hold an inquiry on the impacts of social media.
The Maltese candidate faced a series of ideologically-loaded questions from members of the three political groups on the far-right: the European Conservatives and Reformers, the Patriots for Europe and the Europe of Sovereign Nations. However, Micallef repeatedly asserted his commitment to European values, including equality, diversity and non-discrimination.
He emphasized the need to give young people a voice in EU decision-making while noting with concern that young people are increasingly not bothering to vote.
He told MEPs that he had a clear commitment from von der Leyen to strengthen Erasmus+, the EU’s flagship youth, education and sports training programme.
His closing address saw Micallef hailing MEPs as staunch supporters of the young and of Europès sports model, and stating that it would be a great privilege to work with MEPs in the years to come. An invitation that was met with an encouraging applause from MEPs.
The final decision on whether to approve the new European Commission as a whole will be taken by the European Parliament, following a debate in plenary scheduled to take place between the 25th and 28th November. It will then be the European Council to officially appoint the Commission, so that it can start its five-year term.
– Photo Department of Information Malta –
(ITALPRESS).
