Italian Eases Barroso's Burden
October 31, 2004
The decision came a day after Barroso was forced to withdraw his intial lineup for the policy-intiating EU body. The European Parliament rejected Barroso's commission largely because of Buttiglione, who reaped criticism for his highly conservative views on gays and women.
In his press conference on Saturday, Buttiglione painted himself as an "innocent victim" of a political game.
"I am happy that I had the opportunity to represent the values for which I stand and also to suffer as a result of that stand," said Buttiglione, who was to be the commission's justice chief.
It will be now up to Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to select a replacement nominee for the 56-year-old philosophy professor with strong ties to the Vatican. Observers are betting on current foreign minister Franco Frattini.
Easier for Barroso
The Italian's withdrawal makes things easier for Barroso who, according to EU rules, would have only been able to assign Buttiglione another comission job had the Italian not resigned.
Barroso backed down Wednesday in a high-stakes stand-off with EU lawmakers, withdrawing his proposed team and plunging the EU into uncharted constitutional waters.
"There will not be an extensive reshuffle, it will be very limited," he said on Europe 1 radio Thursday, adding that the new list would be ready "in less than a month, I hope."
On Friday, the Portuguese prime minister-designate made clear that several other commission candidates were on the chopping block. The Dutch nominee for the competition commission job, Neelie Kroes, Hungary's Laszlo Kovacs, up for the energy commissioner post and Latvia's Ingrida Udre, a nominee for the taxation post, are considered likely victims.