EC rejection gives Berlusconi a headache
Opposition to his candidate for a key EC post left Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi with a tough decision today: Whether to stand by his choice or give in to protests over the conservative Catholic’s positions on gays and the family.
Foreign Minister Franco Frattini insisted that Rocco Buttiglione remains “Italy’s candidate” but that Berlusconi ”will talk to the government” to resolve the impasse.
Amid reports that Buttiglione has refused a request from Berlusconi to withdraw his candidacy, the commissioner-designate’s allies in Rome complained of persecution, while opposition deputies said the case has tarnished Italy’s reputation in Europe.
Buttiglione belongs to the Christian Democrat party, a minor coalition partner in Berlusconi’s centre-right coalition, but Berlusconi has much at stake.
He nominated Buttiglione to satisfy the Christian Democrats after the party performed strongly in European elections in May – sacrificing in the process Mario Monti, Italy’s high profile competition commissioner who had said he was keen to be reappointed.
A European Parliament committee rejected Buttiglione earlier this month after the Italian called homosexuality a sin. He has also been criticised for his statements on women and marriage.
Some reports swirling among European parliamentarians suggested that Berlusconi would only cede if other countries withdrew unpopular candidates at the same time.
The crisis came at a sensitive time for Berlusconi, two days before EU leaders gather in Rome to sign Europe’s first proposed constitution.
Italian news reports said today that before Barroso announced he was withdrawing his team, Berlusconi had been scrambling for a last minute solution, under pressure from Barroso.
One suggestion was that Buttiglione should step down, a move that the commissioner-designate refused, newspapers Corriere della Sera and La Stampa reported.
Another option was to replace Buttiglione, a possibility that Berlusconi discussed with his allies on Tuesday, Corriere said.
Possible replacements are said to include Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, former economy minister Giulio Tremonti and former EU commissioner Emma Bonino.
Buttiglione’s allies repeated complaints of discrimination against the commissioner-designate, pledging their continued support.
“I don’t think Buttiglione should throw in the sponge,” said Welfare Minister Roberto Maroni, a member of the Northern League party. “I want it to be guaranteed that European officials can do their jobs without being censured or lynched.”
Opposition politicians say the case has hurt Italy’s reputation in Europe.
Paolo Cento, a Green Party MP, complained that Buttiglione was “a problem for Italy and for Europe because he has proposed a political line on justice and civil rights that is retrograde.”
