European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has appointed her brother-in-law, Matthew Tabone, as her new chief of staff. This decision has sparked controversy and accusations of nepotism within the political community.
Tabone, who began working for Metsola in 2013, married her sister in 2015. Metsola, a member of the Nationalist Party, has defended the appointment, but it has been criticized by opposition members, particularly Alex Agius Saliba, a Maltese MEP from the Labour Party.
Details of the appointment
Matthew Tabone’s appointment follows the departure of Leticia Zuleta De Reales Ansaldo, who is transitioning to a new role as the director of relationships with national parliaments in the European Parliament. Despite his longstanding professional relationship with Metsola, Tabone’s familial connection has raised concerns about favoritism. Metsola had considered appointing Tabone as chief of staff in late 2022 but refrained due to the “Qatargate” scandal, which involved accusations of corruption and cash-for-influence within the European Parliament.
Criticism and reactions
The appointment has drawn significant criticism from political opponents. Alex Agius Saliba described the move as “rampant nepotism,” highlighting the potential conflict of interest given the family connection. He suggested that such an appointment would be unacceptable if made by someone from his own Labour Party, emphasizing the perceived double standards in political appointments.
Previous controversial appointments
Roberta Metsola’s leadership has been marked by other contentious staffing decisions. In 2022, she promoted her then-chief of staff, Alessandro Chiocchetti, to the role of secretary-general of the European Parliament. This position is highly influential, overseeing the Parliament’s extensive bureaucracy. Chiocchetti’s appointment was criticized by some as being the result of favoritism and secret political maneuvering to maintain the position within the European People’s Party (EPP), to which Metsola belongs.
The previous secretary-general, Klaus Welle, had significantly expanded the power of the role over his 13-year tenure, making the position highly coveted. Chiocchetti’s appointment, perceived as a product of internal political deals, prompted criticism from figures like Heidi Hautala, a former Green MEP, who warned that it could harm the Parliament’s reputation among European citizens and other EU institutions.
Metsola’s defense
In response to the criticisms, Metsola and her party, the EPP, have maintained that all appointments were made following the proper procedures. Metsola argued that Chiocchetti’s appointment, in particular, was conducted through the most open and transparent process in the institution’s history. She noted that the position was widely advertised, eligibility checks were carried out, and multiple candidates were considered.
The controversy surrounding Metsola’s appointments reflects ongoing tensions within the European Parliament over governance, transparency, and the influence of political parties on key institutional roles.