Brussels panel rejects Italian as choice for European Commissioner

The European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee voted on 11 October 2004 to reject the appointment of Rocco Buttiglione who was due to take up the post of European Commissioner for Justice and Security on 1 November 2004. The incoming European Commission President, José Manuel Barroso, does not have to heed the Committee's views, but it is the first time that an incoming Commissioner has been voted down. Some MEPs have objected to Mr Buttiglione's views on immigration and homosexuality.

European Parliament: News Report: Hearing of Rocco Buttiglione (justice, freedom and security), 5.10.04 http://europarl.europa.eu/omk/sipade2?PUBREF=-//EP//TEXT+PRESS+NR-20041005-1+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN&LEVEL=2&NAV=S

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