European Parliament on Tuesday over his Catholic convictions.
Reports suggest that Dr Borg won over a number of doubters during his confirmation hearing this week. A vote on his nomination in the European Parliament will be held next week.
He was questioned by members of the committees on the environment (which covers food and health issues), consumer protection and agriculture.
Dr Borg, who has been Minister for Justice and Home Affairs in Malta on a number of occasions, was nominated by the President of the EU Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso.
The case has echoes of the Rocco Buttiglione case. Mr Buttiglione, an Italian politician and academic, was blocked from serving on the European Commission in 2004 in part because of his Catholic views on issues such as abortion and marriage.
A sustained and coordinated campaign against Mr Borg’s nomination was launched by a number of groups, including the European Humanist Federation, the International Planned Parenthood Federation, and the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA).
These groups focused their attacks on Dr. Borg’s Christian faith and his views on issues like abortion, same-sex marriage and divorce.
Following the questioning by the committee members, the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats failed to reach a conclusion on whether to support him.
The Socialist MEPs will adopt a formal position on Tuesday, a day before the European Parliament votes on Dr Borg’s nomination in a secret ballot.
Socialist MEP Linda McAvan (UK), Liberal MEP Chris Davies (UK) and Green MEP Satu Hassi (Finland) were among several MEPs who challenged the Commissioner-designate repeatedly on his record and previous statements on abortion and same-sex marriage.
Dr Borg said he “would not abandon his personal views” but would respect the treaties. He stressed that he personally supported a bill in Malta to recognise non-marital relationships, whether heterosexual or homosexual.
MEPs from the Liberal ALDE group, which includes Fianna Fail, have already pledged to vote against Dr Borg. The Liberals had welcomed the nomination but asked for Dr Borg to be given a different portfolio.
