{{short description|Maltese politician}} {{pp-pc}} {{multiple issues| {{BLP sources|date=November 2013}} {{cleanup rewrite|date=November 2013}} }} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = John Dalli | image = John Dalli 2011 (cropped).jpg | office = [[European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy]] | president = [[José Manuel Barroso]] | term_start = 9 February 2010 | term_end = 16 October 2012 | predecessor = [[Androulla Vassiliou]] {{small|(Health)}}<br />[[Meglena Kuneva]] {{small|([[List of European Commission portfolios#Consumer Protection|Consumer Protection]])}} | successor = [[Maroš Šefčovič]] {{small|(Acting)}} | office1 = [[Minister for Finance|Finance Minister of Malta]] | prime_minister1 = [[Eddie Fenech Adami]] | term_start1 = 27 February 1992 | term_end1 = 29 October 1996 | predecessor1 = [[George Bonello Du Puis]] | successor1 = [[Lino Spiteri]] | prime_minister2 = Eddie Fenech Adami<br />[[Lawrence Gonzi]] | term_start2 = 8 September 1998 | term_end2 = 23 March 2004 | predecessor2 = Lino Spiteri | successor2 = Lawrence Gonzi | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1948|10|5|df=y}} | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | party = [[Nationalist Party (Malta)|Nationalist Party]] | spouse = Josette Callus | children = Claire<br />Louisa | website = | caption = Dalli in 2011 }} '''John Dalli''' (born 5 October 1948) is a [[Maltese people|Maltese]] former [[politics of Malta|politician]] who served as Cabinet Minister in various Maltese governments between 1987 and 2010. He was [[European Commissioner]] for Health and Consumer Policy between 2010 and 2012.

==Maltese politics== Dalli was first elected to the [[House of Representatives of Malta]] in [[1987 Maltese general election|1987]] on behalf of the [[Nationalist Party (Malta)|Nationalist Party]], and since then, he has been re-elected in five successive elections: in [[1992 Maltese general election|1992]], [[1996 Maltese general election|1996]], [[1998 Maltese general election|1998]], [[2003 Maltese general election|2003]], and [[2008 Maltese general election|2008]]. He has served as Parliamentary Secretary for Industry (1987–1990), Minister of Economic Affairs (1990–92), [[Finance Minister of Malta|Minister of Finance]] (1992–1996, 1998–2004),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2004/02/08/dalli.html |title=Malta Today |publisher=Malta Today |access-date=2013-12-30}}</ref> and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion (2004).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/ministries_and_departments/foreign.asp |title=Department of Information |publisher=Doi.gov.mt |access-date=2013-12-30}}</ref> During his tenure at the Ministry of Finance (the longest in Maltese political history), Dalli is best remembered for his modernization of the taxation system through the introduction of [[VAT]] in 1994 and again in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesstoday.com.mt/2003/01/15/editorial.html |title=The Malta Business Times |publisher=Businesstoday.com.mt |date=2003-01-15 |access-date=2013-12-30}}</ref>

He is credited with the creation of the financial services centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130331/opinion/Malta-s-model-financial-centre.463569 |title=Malta's model financial centre |date=31 March 2013 |publisher=timesofmalta.com |access-date=2013-12-30}}</ref>

In February 2004, Dalli contested the election for the leadership of the Nationalist Party but lost to [[Lawrence Gonzi]], who was appointed prime minister. In the new cabinet, Dalli was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion. However, he resigned after serving for three months from April to July 2004 following allegations of corruption in the awarding of contracts for medical equipment and airline ticketing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2007/mw/mw_july11_2007/t1.html |title=MaltaToday |publisher=MaltaToday |date=2007-07-11 |access-date=2013-12-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108064255/http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2007/mw/mw_july11_2007/t1.html |archive-date=8 November 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Dalli remained a backbench MP and was outspoken about what was going on within the party.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maltapolitics.com/kliemhomjikxifhom.htm |title=Kliemhom jikxifhom - Malta u l-politika |publisher=Maltapolitics.com |access-date=2014-02-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109200101/http://www.maltapolitics.com/kliemhomjikxifhom.htm |archive-date=9 November 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In 2007 the Prime Minister appointed Dalli as a personal consultant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2007/12/09/interview.html |title=MaltaToday |publisher=MaltaToday |date=2007-12-09 |access-date=2013-12-30}}</ref>

Dalli was re-elected to the House of Representatives in the [[2008 Maltese general election|March 2008 general election]] and returned to the cabinet as Minister for Social Policy. His portfolio included health, the elderly, employment and training, housing, and industrial relations. [[Joe Cassar]] and Mario Galea were appointed Parliamentary Secretaries for Health and for the Elderly and Community Care respectively to assist him.<ref>[http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/press_releases/2008/03/pr0461.asp Ministers and portfolios] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202064650/http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/press_releases/2008/03/pr0461.asp |date=2 December 2008 }}</ref>

In this ministry, Dalli started a reform of the health sector which was interrupted when he resigned as minister and as Member of Parliament on 10 February 2010 on his appointment as [[European Commissioner]].<ref>[http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/press_releases/2010/02/pr0225.asp Archived copy] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606114511/http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/press_releases/2010/02/pr0225.asp |date=6 June 2011 }}</ref>

==European Commissioner== Dalli was appointed to the [[European Commission]] on 9 February 2010 as [[European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy|Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy]]. On 15 October 2012, the [[European Anti-fraud Office]] (OLAF) delivered its report to the Commission President on accusations an associate of Dalli had asked for €60 million from [[Swedish Match]], the main producer of Swedish [[snus]], in return for Dalli's help in changing European tobacco regulations.<ref name=NYT25october12>{{cite news|last1=Kanter|first1=James|title=Dalli Resignation Leaves E.U. With a Mystery|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/25/world/europe/dalli-resignation-leaves-eu-with-a-mystery.html|access-date=13 May 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=25 October 2012|page=A6}}</ref> On 16 October 2012, Dalli was forced to resign by Commission President [[José Manuel Barroso]].<ref name=NYT25october12/> Dalli has maintained that he did not resign, but in an interview given on the morning of 17 October 2012 with ''New Europe'' confirmed Barroso asked him for his resignation, and alleged that the Tobacco lobby was involved in the case.<ref name=NewEuropeInterview>{{cite web|url=https://www.neweurope.eu/article/exclusive-john-dalli-interview-olaf-resignation-tobacco-directive-video/|title=Exclusive: John Dalli on OLAF, resignation, and Tobacco Directive|date=17 October 2012|publisher=New Europe}}</ref>

Dalli has subsequently denied any knowledge of the alleged bribery.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dunmore|first=Charlie|title=Exclusive: EU Graft Inquiry Shifts to Ex-health Chief's Overseas Activity|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-eu-corruption-exclusive-idUKBRE99N0IB20131024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161017144648/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-eu-corruption-exclusive-idUKBRE99N0IB20131024|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 October 2016|access-date=16 November 2013|newspaper=Reuters|date=24 October 2013|author2=Baker, Luke}}</ref>

The OLAF report{{clarify|date=November 2013}} claimed that the decision-making process of the commission services was not jeopardized, that no money changed hands, and that Dalli was not involved in the execution of this action. However, they put forward the conclusion that he knew what was going on. This was stated in the statement issued by the Commission to announce Dalli's dismissal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-12-788_en.htm |title=EUROPA - Press statement on behalf of the European Commission |publisher=Europa.eu |access-date=2014-02-27}}</ref>

Dalli had insisted from the outset that the report by OLAF should be published, but the commission always refused.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}} Finally, this report was leaked by ''[[Malta Today]]'' on 28 April 2013.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}} Upon its publication, there was a chorus of criticism of this report, which was described by some as amateurish and biased.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theparliament.com/latest-news/article/newsarticle/new-report-casts-further-doubt-on-dalli-inquiry/#.UnkRDfmsim4 |title=New report 'casts further doubt' on Dalli inquiry |publisher=theparliament.com |date=2013-04-23 |access-date=2014-02-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eppgroup.eu/press-release/Dalligate%3A-OLAF-report-on-Dalli-available?qt-rss_feed_group_level=1 |title=Dalligate: OLAF report on Dalli available &#124; Press Release &#124; EPP Group in the European Parliament |publisher=Eppgroup.eu |access-date=2014-02-27 |archive-date=9 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109202157/http://www.eppgroup.eu/press-release/Dalligate%3A-OLAF-report-on-Dalli-available?qt-rss_feed_group_level=1 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/dalligate/Olaf-report-00120130427 |title=REVEALED • Dalligate - the OLAF report |publisher=Maltatoday.com.mt |access-date=2014-02-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Helmut Weixler |url=http://www.greens-efa.eu/dalligate-olaf-report-published-9756.html |title=Dalligate - OLAF report published - Content - The Greens &#124; European Free Alliance |publisher=Greens-efa.eu |date=2013-04-29 |access-date=2014-02-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Keating |first=Dave |url=http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/2013/april/dalli-report-leaked/77104.aspx |title=Dalli report leaked |publisher=European Voice |date=2013-04-29 |access-date=2014-02-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-09-15/news/new-evidence-appears-to-vindicate-john-dalli-delaying-tactics-claim-2597289985/ |title=New evidence appears to vindicate John Dalli delaying tactics claim - The Malta Independent |publisher=Independent.com.mt |access-date=2014-02-27}}</ref>

On 24 December 2012, Dalli instituted a case in the European Court of Justice against the Commission to annul the decision by Barroso to force his resignation (Case T-562/12).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://curia.europa.eu/juris/liste.jsf?num=T-562/12 |title=T-562/12 - Dalli v Commission - InfoCuria - Case-law of the Court of Justice|access-date=2017-07-19}}</ref> On 7 and 8 July 2014, the ECJ held a public session to hear witnesses in the case, Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the Commission, was called as a witness in the proceedings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A62012TJ0562|title=Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber, Extended Composition) of 12 May 2015|access-date=2017-07-19}}</ref> On 12 May 2015, the action was dismissed, and Dalli was ordered to pay the costs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=&docid=165397&pageIndex=0&doclang=en&mode=req&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=458055|title=Judgment of the General Court of 12 May 2015 – Dalli v Commission|access-date=2017-07-19}}</ref>

Dalli also instituted a case in the Belgian Criminal Court against Swedish Match for defamation on 13 December 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/John-Dalli-files-defamation-complaint-against-Swedish-Match-20121213 |title=John Dalli files defamation complaint against Swedish Match |publisher=Maltatoday.com.mt |date=2012-12-13 |access-date=2014-02-27}}</ref> In December 2014, Dalli extended the case to include OLAF as he insists that OLAF abused its powers in the investigation.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}} This case seems to be stalled as the police officer on the case has been changed by the Belgian Authorities.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}

The OLAF announced on 26 September 2013, that it had begun a new investigation into Dalli.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kanter|first1=James|title=European Union Starts New Graft Inquiry into Tobacco Regulator|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/27/world/europe/european-union-starts-new-graft-inquiry-into-tobacco-regulator.html|access-date=13 May 2017|work=[[The International Herald Tribune]]|date=26 September 2013}}</ref>

==Back in Malta== Peter Paul Zammit, the police commissioner, appointed on 13 April 2013, reinvestigated the case{{which|date=November 2013}} and Dalli was called again to be interviewed on 21 May 2013. On 8 June 2013, Zammit stated that there was no evidence to arraign Dalli, but that the investigations were continuing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neurope.eu/article/malta-police-commissioner-no-case-against-john-dalli |title=Malta Police Commissioner: no case against John Dalli |publisher=neurope.eu |access-date=2014-02-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.euronews.com/2013/06/10/police-drop-probe-into-malta-s-ex-eu-commissioner/ |title=Police drop probe into Malta's ex-EU commissioner &#124; euronews, Europe |publisher=Euronews.com |access-date=2014-02-27 |archive-date=9 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109201956/http://www.euronews.com/2013/06/10/police-drop-probe-into-malta-s-ex-eu-commissioner/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malta-eu-commissioner-idUSBRE9590FZ20130610 |title=Malta rules out legal action against former EU Commissioner |date=10 June 2013 |work=Reuters |access-date=2014-02-27}}</ref> This position was reiterated by Zammit on 27 September 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130927/local/pn-leader-calls-for-resignation-of-police-commissioner-says-pm-must-shoulder-responsibility.488008#.Unt71vmsim4 |title=Updated: Police Commissioner reiterates position on John Dalli investigation |date=27 September 2013 |publisher=timesofmalta.com |access-date=2014-02-27}}</ref>

In the summer of 2016, Giovanni Kessler's [[European Anti-fraud Office]] (OLAF) delivered a report on Dalli to Maltese authorities.<ref name=NYT13may17>{{cite news|last1=Kanter|first1=James|title='Stupid Us': How U.S. Retirees Lost Thousands to Fraud Linked to Ex-E.U. Official|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/12/world/europe/dalli-eu-fraud-ponzi-scheme.html|access-date=13 May 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=13 May 2017|page=A5}}</ref> Former Malta Police Chief John Rizzo has said there was enough evidence against Dalli, and he cannot explain why criminal charges were not brought.<ref name=NYT13may17/> In May 2017, the Maltese police said investigations into Dalli were ongoing.<ref name=NYT13may17/>

''[[The New York Times]]'' has reported that Dalli defrauded investors in [[South Carolina]] out of at least $1.5 million.<ref name=NYT13may17/>

===Supervisory Committee Opinion 2/2012=== On 4 July 2014, the Supervisory Committee set up to supervise the actions of OLAF during its investigations published its report on the case involving Dalli.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}} They sent the report to [[Corporate Europe Observatory]] in answer to a request that the latter NGO had made months before.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}} CEO immediately published the report on its website.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://corporateeurope.org/power-lobbies/2014/07/supervisory-committee-releases-29-page-critical-assessment-olafs-dalligate|title=Supervisory Committee releases 29-page critical assessment of OLAF's Dalligate investigation &#124; Corporate Europe Observatory}}</ref> This report was sent to the Director General OLAF in December 2012.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}} However, OLAF had been refusing to publish this report.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}} After harsh insistence, the European Parliament was only given a censored copy of the report.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}} Even after its publication, the Director General OLAF refused to publish the document on OLAF's website, as is the usual practice.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}

The report can be read on http://corporateeurope.org/sites/default/files/2012-02-opinion-supervisory_committee.pdf. It can be seen that it is highly critical of the way that OLAF conducted this investigation and of the way that Kessler conducted himself.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}

In the ECJ hearing referred to above, Dalli's lawyers claimed that this opinion shows that Dalli's human rights were breached by OLAF and asked for the document to be included in the proceedings.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}} The Court accepted this request over the protests of the lawyers of the Commission.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}

===Kessler refuses to give evidence=== In the case that the Maltese Local authorities instituted against Mr. Silvio Zammit, the prosecution has called Kessler on different occasions to give evidence.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}} Kessler has not presented himself to give witness.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}

The same applies to employees of Swedish Match and ESTOC who are refusing calls by the Maltese courts to give evidence in the case.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}

===Secret Documents from Philip Morris=== On 7 October 2014, [[France 2]], a French public television station, aired a two-hour report entitled "Tobacco Industry, the Grand Manipulation".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://television.telerama.fr/television/cash-investigation-passe-les-lobbys-a-tabac-sur-france-2,117561.php|title=Industrie de la cigarette : "Cash investigation" passe les lobbys à tabac sur France 2|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref> In this report, the journalists uncovered documents they acquired from Philip Morris showing that the tobacco lobby had planned a strategy to target Dalli, the European commissioner who was steadfast in his drive to have a harsh tobacco products directive.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-10-09/local-news/French-programme-claims-John-Dalli-targeted-by-tobacco-lobby-to-delay-introduction-of-stricter-laws-6736123381|title=French programme claims Dalli targeted by tobacco lobby to delay introduction of stricter laws - The Malta Independent|website=www.independent.com.mt|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref>

== Media adaptations== *2024: "Une affaire de principe", by [[Antoine Raimbault]] (basé on [[José Bové]] book: ''Hold-up à Bruxelles'', 2014 {{ISBN|9782707178220}}) - Portrayed by [[Maurizio Marchetti]]

==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} * [http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/2010/mediaGallery.cfm?&gallery=yes&sitelang=en#3799 John Dalli] Official media gallery

{{s-start}} {{s-off}} {{s-bef|rows=1|before=[[Joe Borg]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Maltese European Commissioner]] |years=2010–2012}} {{s-aft|after=[[Tonio Borg]]}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Androulla Vassiliou]]|as=European Commissioner for Health}} {{s-ttl|rows=2|title=[[European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy]]|years=2010–2012}} {{s-aft|rows=2|after=[[Maroš Šefčovič]]<br />{{small|Acting}}}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Meglena Kuneva]]|as=[[List of European Commission portfolios#Consumer Protection|European Commissioner for Consumer Protection]]|years=2010–2012}} {{s-end}}

{{Second Barroso Commission}}{{European Commissioners from Malta}}{{Gonzi Cabinet 2008-2013}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dalli, John}} [[Category:1948 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Members of the House of Representatives of Malta]] [[Category:Maltese European commissioners]] [[Category:Nationalist Party (Malta) politicians]] [[Category:Government ministers of Malta]] [[Category:Finance ministers of Malta]] [[Category:Ministers for foreign affairs of Malta]] [[Category:20th-century Maltese politicians]] [[Category:21st-century Maltese politicians]] [[Category:People named in the Pandora Papers]]