[8] In 2012, Borg was appointed as EU Health (and Consumer Policy) Commissioner, replacing John Dalli.

EU ministers majorly approved Tonio Borg's candidature, yet his conservative views on gay rights and abortion were subject to criticism from several MEPs.

[9][10] Disagreeing with the idea of a 'potential human being', Borg sought to entrench Malta's restriction of abortion in the Constitution.

[11] Initial controversy surrounding his election as Health Commissioner centered around perceived conflicts with his portfolio, wherein Borg, a Catholic conservative-leaning Christian Democrat, would oversee matters of stem-cell research, IVF, and other topics which are criticized under Catholic social teaching, threatening the role's impartiality.

[17] In it, Borg observes the field of Administrative law in Malta, highlighting potential abuses of power and the manner in which Maltese courts apply the ultra vires doctrine.