EU COMMISSION: The incoming European Commission President, Mr José Manuel Barroso, has said Mr Rocco Buttiglione's controversial views on homosexuality are no impediment to his appointment as Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner. Mr Barroso insisted, however, that his Commission would permit no discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.
Earlier, Sweden's Prime Minister, Mr Göran Persson, described Mr Buttiglione's statements about homosexuality and the role of women as "a sensational lack of judgment", and questioned the Italian's fitness for the job.
A European Parliament committee this week rejected Mr Buttiglione's nomination after he described homosexuality as sinful and suggested that the purpose of marriage was to allow women to bring up children under the protection of a husband.
Leaders of the European Parliament's political groups yesterday failed to agree on what to do about Mr Buttiglione, who is the first nominee for the Commission ever to be rejected by a committee of MEPs.
The President of the European Parliament, Mr Josep Borrell, said it was now up to Mr Barroso to decide how to respond to the committee's rejection.
"The process isn't over yet. Something new has happened. It is the first time we've seen a committee explicitly voting to reject a commissioner designate. That has not happened before and I don't know if anyone expected it to happen this time. It is certainly something new, which means the Parliament and Commission are on some virgin political ground," Mr Borrell said.
Mr Barroso said during a visit to Estonia that he had full confidence in Mr Buttiglione, a devout Catholic who has advised Pope John Paul II.
"I think he is perfectly fit for this job I don't believe that some of his ideas, which are based on deep religious faith, represent an impediment," he said.
Mr Barroso made clear, however, that Mr Buttiglione's record of opposition to measures designed to reduce discrimination against gay people was out of tune with the Commission's policy. "It is the policy of the EU and of the Commission not to permit any discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. My Commission will continue this policy."
MEPs will vote to approve or reject the new Commission later this month but they cannot reject Mr Buttiglione without voting down the entire team.
The centre-right European People's Party, which is the largest group in the Parliament, will endorse the Commission and most Socialists are expected to do likewise.
Greens and Liberals have indicated that they could vote against the Commission if Mr Buttiglione is not moved from Justice and Home Affairs but they are likely to be in a minority.