The Hindu : International : Controversial E.U. nominee quits

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Oct 31, 2004

International

International

Controversial E.U. nominee quits

ROME, OCT. 30. Italy's choice for a European Commission post, who sparked an uproar with his comments on homosexuality and women, said on Saturday he will step aside.

Rocco Buttiglione said he wanted to give a free hand to the incoming Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, in forming a new executive. He made the announcement at a news conference a few hours after the Italian Premier, Silvio Berlusconi, indicated he was withdrawing Mr. Buttiglione as a nominee for the Commissioner post. ``I am ready to step aside to favour the path of the Mr. Barroso Commission'' Mr. Buttiglione said.

New nominee

Mr. Berlusconi said late on Friday that he would likely find another nominee to replace Mr. Buttiglione for the E.U. post, while Mr. Buttiglione would retain his current post as Italy's Minister for European Affairs.

Mr. Berlusconi said the decision was taken after he met Mr. Barroso and other European leaders, who were in Rome on Friday to sign the E.U.'s first Constitution.

A committee in the European Parliament earlier this month objected to Mr. Buttiglione's nomination for the E.U. justice post because of his conservative views. — AP

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